Conor McGregor is the biggest star mixed martial arts has produced, and his hands-behind-the-back taunt against Eddie Alvarez had a surprising explanation. During his historic UFC 205 title fight in November 2016, the former two-division UFC champion visibly held both hands behind his back mid-fight, appearing to dare Alvarez to hit him and drawing praise from boxing legend Tyson Fury. McGregor later revealed the move wasn't pure showmanship, explaining his right hand had been injured throughout camp, saying I would be doing it in sparring, then I'd jar it and it would swell up mid-round. McGregor finished Alvarez with a second-round TKO, becoming the first simultaneous two-division UFC champion. Known for explosive left-hand power and relentless composure, McGregor's calculated showmanship remains one of combat sports' most iconic moments.
Nearly a decade after one of the most memorable moments in UFC history, Conor McGregor has shed new light on his famous hands-behind-the-back taunt at UFC 205, revealing the brazen gesture was partly born out of necessity.
During his lightweight title fight against Eddie Alvarez in November 2016 at Madison Square Garden, McGregor paused mid-fight to drop both hands behind his back, daring Alvarez to strike him. The moment drew widespread acclaim, including admiration from boxing champion Tyson Fury. McGregor has now explained the move was not purely theatrical. His right hand had been injured throughout training camp, and he described the problem flaring repeatedly in sparring, saying he would jar it and it would swell up mid-round. Holding the hand behind his back was a way to manage the injury in real time.
McGregor, now 38, carries a professional record of 22-7 and fights out of SBG Ireland as a southpaw. Standing five-foot-nine with a reach of 74 inches, he has built his reputation on explosive left-hand power and surgical striking, averaging 5.27 significant strikes landed per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate across his career.
Alvarez, then the reigning UFC lightweight champion, brought a pressure-heavy, high-output style to the cage. The American, now 42, averages 4.32 significant strikes per minute and adds a consistent takedown threat at 2.92 attempts per 15 minutes. On that night, however, McGregor controlled the fight from the outside before stopping Alvarez in the second round via TKO.
Why it matters
- McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to hold two divisional titles simultaneously with the victory
- The revelation reframes one of combat sports' most iconic moments, adding a layer of physical adversity behind the showmanship
- It underscores McGregor's ability to project dominance and composure even while managing a significant injury mid-camp
