Andre Pederneiras reckons Conor McGregor’s psychological warfare didn’t play any factor in Jose Aldo being knocked out in 13-seconds at UFC 194. The Brazilian fighter had defended his belt seven times in the Octagon before UFC 194.
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After watching the fight, Aldo still can’t pinpoint his exact mistake.
It is unclear when McGregor will fight next, or even at what weight class. He has expressed a desire to move up and compete as a lightweight, all the better to hold belts in two divisions simultaneously.
The Irish fighter clearly knew his way with words and also in the ring. “That’s not happening. There will be a belt on one shoulder, and a belt on the other”, McGregor said.
As Pederneiras told Combate, Aldo was not phased by McGregor’s taunts at all, either.
The moments leading up to the fight were tense as both fighters came into the ring ready for an epic battle.
While he was happy with the quick finish, he said Aldo was a “phenomenal champion” and he would have liked a slightly longer fight. Yet when asked to foresee his own future after he ended Aldo’s 18-fight winning streak, McGregor wasn’t quite ready.
McGregor, who had spent months talking smack about Aldo, admitted to feeling for the longtime 145-pound champion in the wake of the stunning win.
However, rather than retreating to lick his wounds, Aldo is already campaigning for an immediate rematch with his rival.
“I feel sorry for him and I nearly want to comfort him”.
McGregor is without question inspiring a new generation of Mixed Martial Arts Fighters to take up the sport, all aiming to follow in his footsteps.
UFC President Dana White seemed to echo these comments, while also revealing the promotion would most likely book McGregor against Frankie Edgar instead of the rematch against Aldo. He can stay at featherweight and make his first title defence against Frankie (The Answer) Edgar.
He said: “I looked into [Aldo’s] eyes, and I saw fear”.
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“When Aldo came in with the straight, Conor stepped back”. I really don’t care what he says and we’re going to have to come back here.
