Jose Aldo V Conor McGregor Preview : FINALLY!
Jose Aldo V Conor McGregor Preview
This might just be the biggest fight in UFC history when the PPV buys are all said and done. It's got a bit of everything from a narrative perspective; the young, brash and arrogant challenger looking to dethrone the only featherweight champion the UFC has ever had and the type of bad blood that can only brew from a postponed bout.
Jose Also pulled out with some bad ribs from their original bout at UFC 180 back on July 11. That allowed long-time featherweight contender Chad Mendes to step into the breach and McGregor savagely stopped him early in the second round, thus, setting the stage for UFC 194 and UFC's last major event of the year.
Given Ronda Rousey's shock defeat at the hands of Holly Holm last month, UFC president Dana White will be keen to ensure that his other golden goose doesn't suffer the same fate. You'd think that thanks to Aldo's long title reign that he would be the goose in question, but McGregor has quickly become one of the most marketable names in the industry thanks to his larger than life persona, and you better believe the outlandish Irishmen puts people in seats way before a well-respected champion.
Get odds of 4/1 with Betway for Aldo to win by decision (£30 free bet)
Brazilian-native Aldo hasn't fought in 14 months since going the distance with McGregor's last victim Mendes. In fact, three of Aldo's last four bouts have gone the distance whereas 27-year-old McGregor has never seen five rounds on his way to a record of 18-2. That's not his style, especially not in recent years where he has become a gruesome knock out puncher.
Also is certainly the more technical fighter of the two and he excels when the chips are down. He's shown in recent bouts with Mendes, Ricardo Lamas and Frankie Edgar that when he takes a big hit, he has the ability to rally and swing momentum in his favour. That's the true hallmark of a champion and that resilience shouldn't be discredited when he goes head-to-head with McGregor in Las Vegas.
It's highly unlikely that this will be a mat-based affair; neither man's skills are best suited to grappling, though Aldo is probably the superior defensive wrestler of the two. Aldo's kicking arsenal is undoubtedly his most famed asset, but McGregor is an extremely aggressive and well-timed volume puncher. He regularly manages to throw 50 bombs a round and Aldo will need to be as deft as he's ever been to evade such an enthusiastic onslaught.
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This is one of those where it really could go either way. Nobody thought Holly Holm would beat Ronda Rousey, but if either man were to emerge the victor here it wouldn't shock the world by any stretch - these are two of the best fighters in this category in the world. That's a fact.
McGregor is probably the slight favourite given his skill-set by comparison. He's the more vicious striker and certainly more capable of finishing the fight. However, Aldo has a penchant for taking fights the distance and nullifying his opponents. Should Aldo manage to frustrate McGregor past the third round, there's a fair chance the Dubliner will swing wildly ala Rousey, and that's when Aldo has him right where he wants him.
Ultimately, though, we believe McGregor has the stopping power here and all the incentive in the world. A loss for McGregor, and where does he go from there? Everything he's said becomes hollow and Aldo - unless motivated by another potential pay day - will have zero need to face him again. McGregor needs this, and he'll get it.
Get odds of 17/20 with Betway for a Conor McGregor victory (£30 free bet)