Bullish McGregor predicts first round win

Arriving late, stealing his opponent’s belt and attempting to throw a chair at his opponent, Conor McGregor was in bullish mood as he faced the media at Thursday's UFC 205 press conference in Manhattan.

McGregor is bidding to become the first UFC fight to hold two titles in two weight divisions simultaneously and he provided plenty of entertainment as he faced the media alongside Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden.

With his opponent running late, Alvarez faced a chorus of boos before walking out in protest at McGregor's late arrival.

"I’m prepared to completely destroy Conor McGregor and silence these damn fans. I’m smiling from ear to ear. I’m half Irish. I’m disappointed in the country of Ireland right now that this is your representative," Alvarez said.

When he eventually showed up McGregor took Alvarez’s belt and did not offer an apology as he said: "I operate on my time, I operate on my own time. And I'm running early on my time."

Alvarez returned and immediately sought his belt back and in a heated exchange McGregor raised a chair above his head as he threatened to throw it at his opponent.

When things finally settled down, the Dubliner went on to predict a first-round win at Saturday's event.

"I predict I rearrange his face. He's too easily hit," he said. "He's damaged goods," he said of his well-travelled opponent.

"He's aged, looks a bit gonked. At the end of the day were go in there and fight and the shots will land regardless. I'm fresh, ready to go, I look forward to it. I'm gonna shut this man up."

Conor McGregor will fight Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight belt at UFC 205 in New York on Saturday live on the eir Sport pack. The eir Sport pack is free to all eir broadband customers. To learn more about setting sport free visit www.eir.ie/sport .