The UFC has released a statement on UFC 189 with respect to the injury sustained by Jose Aldo. The medical report is that Aldo’s injury is not a broken rib but a bruise which should allow him to remain in the main event for July 11th. In the alternative, it has Chad Mendes ready to take on McGregor for an “interim” UFC featherweight championship.
The news release also indicates that Aldo has “every intention” of fighting McGregor. Yet, Mendes remains as a stand-in if Aldo’s injury remains an issue leading up to the fight.
A potential fight for an “interim” belt is newsworthy considering that if Aldo cannot compete, the UFC will award a belt to either Mendes or McGregor.
Payout Perspective:
While the news that Aldo should remain on the card, his health remains an issue going into the fight. Moreover, it’s apparent that the correct and appropriate strategy for McGregor now would be to target Aldo’s ribs (a “sweep the leg Johnny” strategy). With Mendes on deck, it appears that the UFC will now have to pay him leading up to this fight even if he does not fight (one would assume).
The fight for an “interim” belt is usually meant for a champion that is injured and it is not known when they might return. Here, Aldo might fight, but if he does not, someone else will share a title in his weight division. This does not seem right if you are in the Aldo camp. It’s clear that if he is unable to go on July 11th, he should be able to fight by at least the end of the year. So, why have an interim title now? Well, it’s clear that the magnitude of the event and the promotion seemingly demands some sort of title up for grabs. If Mendes fills in, he has less than a month to train for what we assume would be a 5 round fight against McGregor. This would favor McGregor immensely.
Does the news of an interim title put subtle pressure on Aldo to remain on the card despite injury?
Well yeah Dana wants him to lose to mcgregor and he can pretend as if mcgregor is the best fighter to ever be in the UFC lol.
Yeah, this is what promoters do. They try to make as much money as possible. No one who comprehends the sport actually believes McGregor is a proven elite fighter yet.
I’m amazed they are using Mendes as a back up. That would be a terrible match up for McGregor. They should have used idiot Nate Diaz.
The UFC SOOOOO wants Aldo removed and McGregor to win a belt. I mean, an interim belt for 3 months? Come on!
Lots of turmoil behind the scenes hahahah. The ufc is slowly losing control over fighters They just dont know how to manage anything for very long!!!!
here is another turd for D to swallow hahah fucking ufc
http://mmajunkie.com/2015/06/mma-in-new-york-again-the-answer-seems-to-be-no
Please no more stories about mma in New York its a fucking pipe dream!
Saldaqueer.