Over the years I’ve watched the UFC develop into the powerhouse it is today, organizations like PRIDE, Strikeforce and WEC rise and fall, and Bellator emerge as a new force on the MMA landscape. Like I said before, the eyes never lie. The doctors have cleared him to fight, it’s a bruise, but he has still pulled out. There’s no doubt taking this fight on short notice.
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“It’s the McGregor division now”, McGregor said. McGregor would have fought Diaz at 155 pounds instead of making the cut all the way down to 145.
Obviously, the best-case scenario for the UFC involves McGregor earning a victory over Mendes to align himself opposite Aldo once again, this time, with a belt of his own to bring to the pre-fight press events. I’m not going to talk about it but there are a lot of holes that I see, that my coaches see. I think of Barry McGuigan in particular who respected his opponents when so much of boxing is deliberately hyped in order to stir interest and finance.
Aldo didn’t say how long he’ll be forced to ride the pine.
And there is a “silver lining” for McGregor as he comes up against a noted wrestler in Mendes.
That’s nothing new for McGregor.
The Brazilian sustained a rib injury in training last Tuesday and his participation in the fight has been in doubt since initial reports from his camp suggested he may have incurred a fractured rib. This was rescheduled for UFC 153 only for Koch to get injured and Frankie Edgar to step in.
“Conor is a tough dude – he’s got his strengths, his things that he’s good at”. We’ll take the B-level guy and we’ll still break records with this. McGregor and Mendes are getting into it now. It would’ve been nice if Jose didn’t p–y out, but we’ll take the substitute.
Mendes’ only two professional losses have come at the hands of Jose Aldo.
Conor did not get the chance to beat Aldo. It was the news most people did not want to hear, but many were expecting to arrive.
White refused to admit disappointment with the change, but he did lament the one fateful moment that altered UFC 189. “Most certainly, I want to be on that card”.
With the decision to put in Mendes to replace Aldo just one week before the fight happens is smart.
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Lawler: I’m self motivated. I anticipated he wouldn’t show up. I don’t need any extra motivation.
