Jose Aldo Finds Focus On Conor McGregor ‘Disrespectful’
With six straight title defenses, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo sits firmly in his spot as the world’s No. 2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter.
He hasn’t lost since November 2005 and he’s beaten a veritable who’s who of top-level talent, including wins over the Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6-ranked featherweights.
Aldo will rematch No. 1-ranked Chad Mendes in the main event of October 25’s UFC 179 from Rio, but it’s a bout with the brash No. 5 contender that has everyone buzzing.
When Irish Superstar Conor McGregor finished previous No. 5 Dustin Poirier in the first round at September’s UFC 178, it was hardly a surprise to hear UFC President Dana White state that McGregor would likely get the next title shot despite most believing that it should go to the winner of the UC Fight Night 57 main event between No. 2 Cub Swanson and No. 3 Frankie Edgar.
At first that seems obvious, but upon re-examination of the situation, a bout with McGregor may make the most sense. He’s definitely one of if not the biggest stars in MMA right now, and he can sell a pay-per-view (PPV) card like no other featherweight ever has.
It’s clear that the UFC wants to build him and groom him as such, and the fans are certainly along for the ride. About the only people not joining the McGregor hype train are Aldo and Mendes. The champ finds it a bit offensive that McGregor is getting all the publicity before his big fight, telling FOX Sports that he must remain focused on Mendes:
“I’m really focused on Chad Mendes right now and I do think it’s a little bit disrespectful. This fight hasn’t even happened. There’s nothing set yet. I do need to keep my feet on the ground and keep focused on Chad Mendes and not think of anyone else.”
Aldo may have a good point when he says he can’t get caught up in his next fight, but he has also become increasingly more agitated in the media. He’s been criticized for playing it safe, something which he actually admitted to. McGregor touched on this in the UFC 178 post-fight presser:
“Jose is in this situation where he has got to a stage where he’s happy with his level. I feel he’s in that pattern of deterioration. Again, another easy win.”
He’s gone on record for requesting more money and blasted the UFC’s handling of his teammate and friend Renan Barao, who stepped up with a quick turnaround to ultimately lose his belt against TJ Dillashaw at UFC 173 in May.
The champion said that of course he’s going to hear about the outspoken McGregor’s antics, but he can’t let them get to him right now:
“With fighters that are very outspoken and very loud like that, obviously you’re going to hear about it. I’m not out online looking for things or researching him in any way, but when people come up to me and say ‘Hey, go beat up this guy’ or whatever … So the news does arrive; I do hear about it. He’s not in this competition and it makes no difference.”
As usual, Aldo has a strong response to his critics, but in reality, perhaps he should take a look in the mirror. He’s strayed heavily from the killer instinct he displayed as a hungry contender in the WEC, and he hasn’t done his PPV numbers any favors by refusing to learn English.
McGregor is a silver-tongued trash talker the likes of which we’ve never seen in the UFC, and he can move the PPV needle like few others can. He is a much bigger draw than Aldo is right now.
At the end of the day, fans are going to love a fighter if he finishes fights in exciting fashion, and it seems like all Aldo does lately is offer excuses why he cannot.
Perhaps he simply cannot be beaten at 145 pounds, but his whole act has gotten a bit stale. That’s why, disrespectful or not, McGregor is the perfect foil to inject some life into Aldo’s stagnating career path.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale for USA TODAY Sports
