“This man believed in our sport!” Donald Trump paid HUGE respect by Conor McGregor’s rival for contribution to MMA

Eddie Alvarez reflects on his career, gratitude towards Donald Trump, and the evolution of MMA from the early days of "Human cockfighting" to historic moments at Madison Square Garden.

“This man believed in our sport!” Donald Trump paid HUGE respect by Conor McGregor’s rival for contribution to MMA

Conor McGregor's rival Eddie Alvarez praises Donald Trump (Image via: Instagram, IMAGO)

Conor McGregor was the first simultaneous double champion in the UFC. McGregor achieved the feat with a TKO victory over Eddie Alvarez. McGregor’s fight with Alvarez headlined the UFC’s return to New York at Madison Square Garden after the state revoked its ban on MMA. MSG also witnessed the first BMF title fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244. Then-President Donald Trump attended the event, and it was the first such event where a sitting US President grazed a UFC event.

Donald Trump has since attended several UFC PPV events after losing his re-election. He was at the final two PPVs in 2023: UFC 295 and UFC 296. Many UFC fighters are big admirers of the former US President. Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Sean Strickland, Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal, and Eddie Alvarez are among those. Alvarez even attended a function at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s official residence, in late March of 2023. Alvarez took a picture of himself with his wife at the Mara-a-Lago and praised Trump in the captions. This is what he captioned the post on Instagram.

This Man believed in our sport at a time when legislators and policy makers deemed @ufc “Human cock fighting.” I was at the first few UFC events at Trump Taj Mahal and I even started my Career fighting there . Thank you Mr President...this sport changed my life and many others like me . It gave a kid from Philadelphia a fighting chance and a platform to entertain millions of fans worldwide...
Eddie Alvarez via Instagram
YouTube video

Before he signed with the UFC, Alvarez was a two-time lightweight champion at Bellator. At Bellator, he had an exciting rivalry with Michael Chandler, a three-time lightweight champion in the promotion. Many Bellato champions have competed in the UFC, but only Alvarez became a champion. On the other hand, multiple ex-UFC fighters, some of whom were not champions, went on to become champions at Bellator.

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Nonetheless, casual fans remember Eddie Alvarez as the fighter who McGregor defeated to become a double champion. Since McGregor, Amanda Nunes, Daniel Cormier, and Henry Cejudo have become simultaneous double champions. However, unlike the aforementioned fighters, McGregor does not have a single title defense of either title.

Conor McGregor hilariously coached ex-rivals Eddie Alvarez and Chad Mendes at BKFC

Conor McGregor has trash-talked with almost all of his opponents. However, he has shown respect to his opponents post-fight. Interestingly, McGregor even coached his rivals, Eddie Alvarez and Chad Mendes. The duo fought in the co-main event of BKFC 41.

Chad Mendes Conor McGregor Eddie Alvarez
Eddie Alvarez says Conor McGregor supported both sides (Image Courtesy – MMA Fighting)

McGregor was in attendance at the event and provided instructions to both fighters while in the audience. The fight was the best fight of the PPV, and it also got the 2023 Bare Knuckle Fight of the Year award. It was Alvares who emerged victorious at the event via a split decision.

Mike Perry fought Luke Rockhold in the main event of the PPV, in which Perry won. McGregor faced off with Perry on stage, which went viral on social media. UFC CEO Dana White recently had a meeting with the owner of BKFC. Perry claimed that the UFC made a low-ball offer to BKFC, but White stated it was not true.

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