Conor McGregor cemented himself as one of the UFC's top stars with an exciting win over short-notice replacement Chad Mendes at UFC 189 that crowned him interim champion. Mendes was needed after regular champion Jose Aldo pulled out of the main event due to painfully bruised ribs suffered during training.
In the buildup to fighting Mendes and since, McGregor has blatantly said he believes Aldo is ducking him, and is afraid to fight him. McGregor's father isn't sure about the fear factor, but is questioning why Aldo didn't push through and fight.
"Personally, I don't think [Aldo] is afraid of him," Tony McGregor said. "I just don't know why he won't face him. I'd hate to think a champion is afraid of any fighter, you know?"
Aldo was initially thought to have broken his ribs, but multiple doctors said the ribs were just bruised and medically cleared him to fight. Aldo, however, said the injury was simply too painful for him to continue his training camp.
"I have to have respect for all fighters. Anyone who steps into the Octagon, I have respect for them. I don't know why he pulled out of this, but the fact of the matter is, he did. When it was confirmed that he wasn't fighting, it was a big disappointment for us Irish fans all over the world," Tony McGregor said.
McGregor also said that he was dealing with more severe injuries than Aldo was when he actually stepped into the octagon and competed.
"I'm just gonna let that be in the past because there's no point in bringing anything up in my mind," McGregor said after being asked about a future fight with Jose Aldo. "Just know that I had a hell of a lot more wrong with me than a bruised rib, and I still showed up."
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