Jose Aldo on Conor McGregor: 'Nothing stands out'
UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo (24-1) has said talk of him potentially fighting Conor McGregor (16-2) is premature, and even "disrespectful." In a recent MMA Junkie interview, he seemed to maintain that stance, and insisted that he's singularly focused on challenger Chad Mendes and their Oct. 25 fight date.
However, Aldo didn't go so far as to say that he hasn't kept close tabs on McGregor's fights and progress. “I make it a point to observe all fighters in the featherweight category,” he said.
“I’m the champion, and I plan to remain the champion. I do pay attention to any featherweight fight where someone is ranked in the UFC, since that could potentially be my next adversary."
That said, Aldo isn't particularly concerned with what the Irishman brings to the table as a challenger. At least, Aldo doesn't see anything exceptional in the brash newcomer.
"Conor is no different than any other fighter," he said.
“I don’t see anything that stands out."
Like Frankie Edgar, however, Aldo seems to understand that the momentum and promotional push behind McGregor may, for now, be an unstoppable force. "Scarface" understands that, should he get by Mendes in their rematch in Brazil later this month, it's quite possible he'll have to fight the rising star McGregor.
Aldo is fine with that, and said he'll turn his attention to the "Notorious" hype train, next. “After my fight [with Mendes]," Aldo concluded, "I’ll have time to see what the hype’s all about.”
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