Jose Aldo, the top pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC's rankings and reigning featherweight champion, badly wants to humble Conor McGregor at UFC 189 in July. Rumors spread this week that Aldo had suffered a broken rib in training and was likely to be shelved for several months, but for now all is well with the main event.
"In light of recent reports regarding the status of UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, UFC has received official medical confirmation from several doctors that Aldo did not suffer a broken rib," a UFC statement read.
"Following a review of the scans, it has been determined that the champion suffered a bone bruise to his rib and cartilage injury during training. With the news, Aldo has expressed that he has every intention of facing Conor McGregor at UFC 189."
Once news hit that Aldo might be ruled out of the main event, replacement options were speculated on. A hot name was Frankie Edgar, but the nod was eventually given to Chad Mendes, also considered one of the top fighters in the UFC. The lone knock on Mendes has been his inability to overcome Aldo.
Aldo has won 18 straight fights, and is undefeated in the UFC. His lone loss came in 2005, and his record under the UFC banner is 7-0. McGregor is 5-0 in the UFC but his level of competition has been loudly questioned. Facing Aldo is a dramatic leap in quality of opposition, and lends to the intrigue of this main event. McGregor's rise through the ranks has been credited to his bragging and trash talking as much as his victories.
Aldo will still be subject to examination prior to the fight, and if he cannot go Mendes will be stepping in. If Mendes fights McGregor, the winner will be given an interim title to be defended vs. Aldo when he's ready to return to the octagon.
[ESPN]
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