Like everyone else in the MMA world, featherweight champion Jose Aldo can’t wait for his unification bout with interim titleholder Conor McGregor on December 12 at the MGM Grand.
The UFC featherweight champion’s withdrawal from his first scheduled date with the Irishman due to a rib injury scorned the MMA world after such a lengthy and intriguing build that saw the championship pairing embark on a world tour to promote the event. Throughout March, fans watched face off after face off, insult after insult and threat after threat before the Brazilian champion revealed his injury to the world two weeks shy of the July 11 event.
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The ill-fated rib injury forced the Nova Uniao product out of his fifth UFC title fight to date and with his last previous competitive outing coming back in October 2014, Aldo will suffer the longest spell of inactivity of his professional career ahead of UFC 194, 14 months. At a press conference for the event on Saturday, the Brazilian insisted he “can’t wait” for the highly anticipated unification bout.
“I expect the best,” said Aldo on his meeting with McGregor. “We’re always well trained and focused. There’s a lot of talk, but I try to stay away from all of this. You have no idea how motivated I am. For the love of God, I can’t wait for this fight to happen so we can prove everything we say.”
Although his rib injury forced him out of what was reported to be his biggest payday to date, Aldo claimed that he is “way better prepared” than he was the first time he was gearing up to face McGregor. According to the champion, he gained a lot of “experience” and because of that he now knows “how to deal with (McGregor’s) trash talk.”
“First of all, experience,” he said when considering what he gained the most from being on the road with ‘The Notorious’. “We know how to deal with these things. The first time there was a heavier environment, but not anymore. We’re more focused, and I can say I’m way better prepared than the first time.
“We had enough time the last time, but it’s something new because he’s left handed, but not anymore. We’re well trained, I was already adapted from the first camp we did with him, and we also know how to deal with his trash talk. It’s way easier now.”
And for those of us that are still worried about Aldo suffering another injury to his ribs, the UFC have drafted in special equipment used by NFL quarterbacks according to the champion. Aldo also referred to the shot from Alcides Nunes that forced his withdrawal from July 11’s UFC 189 as “the most expensive spinning back kick in history.”
“It’s a shirt that quarterbacks use to protect the ribs, so I’m using it in training,” explained Aldo. “After that spinning back kick, the most expensive spinning back kick in history, we’re more protected now. You can hit me because there’s wood there to protect me so I won’t get hurt.”
When considering retirement, Aldo claimed that he is merely waiting to have financial security before he stops fighting. However, currently the only featherweight champion in the history of UFC, Aldo outlined that he would like still have that status when he retires from the sport, drawing a comparison to another dominant champion that retired with his strap, Georges St-Pierre.
“I wouldn’t say I think about retirement. I think about financial stability. When I have it, I will stop. I don’t care if I’m at the top or not, I don’t care. I don’t want to fight until I’m 40. I don’t even know if I’ll get to 35.
“I don’t think about this. What I want is to leave this sport as a champion. I want to be the only featherweight champion when I leave this sport. Tomorrow, when I’m not here, you will always wonder who would beat when I’m not around anymore. That’s what I want. Just like when Georges (St-Pierre) left.
“That division is still wide open, no one was able to dominate it, and everyone remembers him. That’s how I want to leave the sport,” said Aldo.
With a new featherweight contender sure to emerge from December with a host of top 145 lbs action set to play out including Frankie Edgar versus Chad Mendes and Max Holloway versus Jeremy Stephens, Aldo identified Max Holloway as a fighter he would definitely like to meet in the future.
“After this, after we win, I don’t know how it’s going to be. I don’t know if it’s going to be Frankie, or Chad wins and ends this possibility, but I’m also interested in fighting this Hawaiian kid, Max Holloway. He’s a young kid coming up and I believe he has an opportunity, but one step at a time. First December 12, and then I’ll think about it. But one thing is right, after the fight it’s time to play soccer.”
