It’s fair to say that Eddie Alvarez did not have a good night on Nov. 12, 2016.

In the main event of one of the biggest pay-per-views of the year, the then-UFC lightweight champion lost his title to Conor McGregor at UFC 205. The brash-talking featherweight champion thoroughly outclassed Alvarez, knocking him out three minutes into the second round after dropping Alvarez multiple times in the first. In the biggest fight of his life, Alvarez turned in one of his least memorable performances.

Now, several months removed from the setback, Alvarez is ready to return to the cage and put that bad performance behind him. Speaking with Brian Stann on Stann’s Sirius XM Rush show Toe-2-Toe, the former lightweight champion talked about moving forward and his plan to take over the division once again.

“I had a bad night in November, and no problem. I got back on the horse about six weeks ago, met back up with my coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, Mark Henry and everybody, and we formulated a plan to come back to take over the division that I believe is mine... It was a small chapter in my full book that will be my career. It was a disastrous chapter but now we get to write some new good ones.”

Alvarez already has a lot of “good ones” in his career. For many years, “The Underground King” was considered one of the top lightweights in the sport, amassing titles from Reality Fighting, BodogFIGHT, WAMMA, and Bellator (twice) before making the jump to the UFC. But despite all his accolades and having been to the top of the mountain, Alvarez says this is the best moment of his career because he has a new challenge ahead of him.

“I made a lot of money and I won a lot of world titles. I really feel that right now is the time in my career to dig deep because in the past it was very simple to pinpoint a reason why: my children. I needed to do something for the people that are looking up to me. So I found the last couple of months I needed to dig deep to find even more of a ‘why’ to move forward, although I’ve accomplished what I’ve accomplished. I’ve done that and I’m excited. I’m rejuvenated about the opportunity to get back into the cage and show what I’m made of.”

Alvarez’s will get that opportunity when he takes on 10th-ranked lightweight Dustin Poirier at UFC 211. It’s a fight that appeals to “the dog” in Alvarez, a battle between two of the most renown action fighters in the division, and the perfect way for him to start his comeback.

“He made a lot of noise with the Jim Miller fight. He’s been putting on some great shows so I’m excited to get back in the cage with someone like that, someone of his style. I need a good fight like that in me. I have one in me right now, so I’m excited.”

MUST-READ STORIES

Ouchtown. Anderson Silva will fight Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 212 in Rio.

CSAC. The CSAC will fine win bonuses along with show money for fighters who miss weight.

For real though. Demian Maia jokes that the UFC should cancel his bout with Jorge Masvidal and give him a title shot.

Record. Joanna Jedrzejczyk is eyeing Ronda Rousey’s title defense record.

Misunderstood. Demetrious Johnson thinks people misunderstand Tyron Woodley.

MEDIA STEW

BBC documentary on weight cutting.

Career retrospective for Brad Pickett.

Duffy interview.

Agree he won’t fight Conor. He ain’t trying to box Canelo either though.

Mass brawl during the Dagestan MMA championships.

LISTEN UP

Bisping’s new pod.

Severe MMA.

TWEETS

I think Kelvin was the only one who asked for this.

Hunto still mad.

Respect.

Wish u a great n fast recovery. MMA world still needs u, I especially need u because I'm certain that we'll offer our fans a legendary fight https://t.co/OiGzGekIIR — Francis NGannou (@francis_ngannou) March 14, 2017

Not having to cut that fat, huh? Competitive advantage.

Would love to see this type of thing in MMA.

Because weight cutting is apparently never going to leave.

You're not doing it right...stop letting your lack of discipline make the whole lot of us look bad. @bbcthree #discipline https://t.co/X1cyGLJzRe — Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) March 15, 2017

Lomachenko would pistol whip him.

@TheNotoriousMMA NinjaTurtle Lomanchelo waiting for you in the ring.I can test you pic.twitter.com/tjD2LEJS8f — Vasyl Lomachenko (@vasyllomachenko) March 11, 2017

Covington getting everyone involved in this call out.

My boy has a point, I was ranked in top 10 at 55 and had to start all over at 70 earn it first https://t.co/KVuEJ8X3jd — Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) March 14, 2017

@GamebredFighter you were top 10 I was the champ but I don't pick fights, UFC decide it — Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) March 14, 2017

Herring.

I can't wait to get back in the ring @rizin_PR April 16th! Been training 4 a month @Domin8YourGame & @Xtreme_Couture https://t.co/a6YPAxlRlu — Heath Herring (@TheHeathHerring) March 15, 2017

Sean McCorkle’s twitter was a strange place today. Go check it out if you’d like.

Hey, @tailopez, I stopped by "your" house today, to collect my $100k, and nobody would answer… https://t.co/CxH989c87q — Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) March 13, 2017

#branding.

Want to medicate like an athlete?We have a @NateDiaz209 Sativa pack for energy and a @nickdiaz209 Indica pack to streamline you to recovery! pic.twitter.com/pOM83qkLu5 — Silver State Trading (@SilverStTrd) March 11, 2017

Vicious scar.

Going home today! 10 days in the hospital, 3 (2.5ish) surgeries, but the infection is gone and I'm feeling better. Will be on crutches and will still have a PICC line for a couple weeks but all is improving! ‍♂️ A post shared by James Krause (@thejameskrause) on Mar 13, 2017 at 5:15am PDT

Yoel is free.

I need a fight ASAP @ufc don't wanna wait! Wait no more lest go!! A post shared by Hector Lombard (@hectorlombard) on Mar 6, 2017 at 10:14am PST

If this picture on the left is legit, Sage is the only person in history to look less jacked in the video game version of himself.

What Sage @sagenorthcutt looks like in EA Sports UFC 2 vs What he should look like. pic.twitter.com/FVEVwYBKnW — MartialMind (@MartialMind1) March 14, 2017

He even hashtags favela...

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eduardo Dantas (19-4) vs. Leandro Higo (17-2); Bellator 177, April 14.

Roy Nelson (22-13) vs. Alexander Volkov (27-6); UFC on Fox 24, April 15.

Albert Tumenov (17-4) vs. Marcelo Alfaya (18-7, 1 NC); ACB, May 20.

Vitaly Minakov (19-0) vs. Antonio Silva (19-11, 1 NC); Fight Nights Global, June 2.

Anderson Silva (34-8, 1 NC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (14-2); UFC 212, June 3.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

1998: Pride FC held their second ever event, Pride 2, which featured Kazushi Sakuraba making his Pride debut and Renzo Gracie and Sanae Kikuta having one of the worst fights ever. Seriously, don’t go watch it.

2014: Johny Hendricks won the vacant UFC welterweight championship by taking a unanimous decision over Robbie Lawler at UFC 171.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Apropos of nothing: Gennady Golovkin is boxing this weekend and you should 100% peep that. If you don’t know who that is, he’s the best thing going in combat sports today and you should Google him because you’ll be a fan.

Also, GGG has roughly the same net worth as Conor McGregor despite not being nearly the star McGregor is. If Conor really can beat Floyd, he should retire from MMA immediately and go to boxing because he is wildly underpaid in the UFC.

That’s all folks. Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.