The biggest MMA fight of the year is right around the corner as UFC 189 lands on July 11 with a featherweight title bout between champion Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor. The UFC has spent months hyping the showdown between the Irish upstart McGregor and the long-time, dominant champion Aldo, even taking both men on a world tour where the fight got unprecedented press coverage and hype. Now with the fight less than two weeks out, word is coming out that Aldo has sustained a rib injury, but both Aldo and the UFC are pressing on, and as the old saying goes “the fight will go on”.
The fight lines for this fight opened up many months ago, and Aldo was a two to one favorite. McGregor and his hype machine have been closing the distance ever since, but when word of this injury coming out has gone ahead and pushed McGregor to be the favorite in the match. McGregor, always a talker, is oddly silent for this news, as there really is not much to say. McGregor will be affected, as defeating an injured opponent is likely to leave McGregor starting his title reign with an”asterick” next to his win. McGregor has been talking about a move to Lightweight and even Welterweight, but the injury could likely mean he will have to stay at Featherweight to establish himself. If Aldo wins, even with the injury, this will likely signal the start of his move to Lightweight.
Here is our latest Talk ‘n’ Shoot Podcast, where we are looking in depth at the UFC 189 and the Conor McGregor versus Jose Aldo main event:
