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MMA

22nd Sep 2016

Eddie Alvarez out of UFC 205 after contract dispute

Paid a big price

Patrick McCarry

Eddie Alvarez looks to have paid the price after holding out for a red panty night.

UFC Tonight is often a run-of-the-mill show that relies on bombastic proclamations from Michael Bisping or guest appearances to get some traction.

Last night, however, was must-see-TV.

The show, hosted by Kenny Florian and UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, had some huge revelations concerning UFC 205 and, in turn, Toronto’s UFC 206.

As per their reporter Megan Olivi, lightweight champion Alvarez has now missed the boat for the Madison Square Garden event on November 12.

The Philadelphia native had been sent a fight contract to defend his title against No.1 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 205 but did not sign it by the promotion’s set deadline. This could be why Alvarez took to Twitter on Tuesday night to try and bait Conor McGregor – his preferred opponent – into a fight.

As we now know, McGregor replied with a succinct ‘Beg me’.

Deadline missed, Alvarez is now out of the reckoning for New York. The carrot after the stick is UFC 206 in December.

UFC 206 will be held at the Rogers Arena in Toronto and has been heavily reported as the comeback event for Georges St-Pierre.

The show also suggested that McGregor was “unlikely” to fight at UFC 205 after injuring his shin in his UFC 202 win over Nate Diaz. It is a claim since refuted by the McGregor camp, who insist he would be fight for the November 9 PPV if required.

Dana White will front a UFC 205 press conference at Madison Square Garden next Tuesday, with all the main fighters set to attend.

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