This Saturday UFC 205 heads into New York’s Madison Square Garden for what might be the biggest MMA event of all time. If it feels as though we’ve called several events this year “the greatest of all time”, it’s because 2016 year has been a year of broken records.

Conor McGregor reacts after defeating Jose Aldo during a featherweight championship mixed martial arts bout at UFC 194, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Conor McGregor reacts after defeating Jose Aldo during a featherweight championship mixed martial arts bout at UFC 194, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Earlier this year, UFC 196 became the highest revenue generating UFC PPV of all time. It’s reign didn’t last long however, as UFC 202 ended up surpassing it. In between those two record breaking events was UFC 200, and all the pageantry that went along with it.

from Sky Sports
from Sky Sports

UFC 205 is a far more stacked card than either 202 or 196, though the main event lacks the same intensity without Nate Diaz involved. Even though the PPV numbers will almost surely be amongst the best ever in company history, the new owners know the success of their company over the next few years depends on Conor winning in the main event.

Here are 5 reasons the UFC needs Conor McGregor to beat Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205…

Jul 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Eddie Alvarez reacts following his victory against Rafael Dos Anjos during UFC Fight Night at MGM Grand Graden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Eddie Alvarez reacts following his victory against Rafael Dos Anjos during UFC Fight Night at MGM Grand Graden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

5. Eddie Alvarez Does Not Draw Money

This is not a criticism of Eddie Alvarez, but all the same, he does not draw money.
One could argue it isn’t his job to draw money, it is his job to fight. While that is certainly true, MMA is a star-driven business. Just as Hollywood has noticed that the success and failure of a movie is often determined by the actors they cast, the UFC is quite aware that they make more money when their stars are champions.

Conor McGregor has drawn more money for the UFC than any other fighter in history. Naturally the UFC wants that train to continue. While Conor may have lost at UFC 196, his loss ended up elevating Nate Diaz to such a status that he is now a huge draw for the company. Nate could be used to main event PPV events even without being put up against Conor now, should the UFC decide to go that route. That would not be the case for Alvarez should he beat Conor.

Alvarez just doesn’t have the following of fans that Nate or Conor do. A victory over Conor would elevate him to new levels, but not to the degree that he would become a draw on his own.

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Gentleman Jeff
Ian is a MMA writer based out of Toronto, ON Canada. An avid mixed martial arts enthusiast and passionate fan since he was born, Ian has been writing about mixed martial arts for over 5 years.