When the mixed martial arts world discovered that UFC featherweight title holder Jose Aldo (25-1) had suffered a rib injury, chaos ensued.
Aldo’s highly anticipated title defence against Irish superstar Conor McGregor (17-2) at UFC 189 was in jeopardy.
It didn’t help that UFC president Dana White said that more had been spent on the promotion of this fight than any other UFC bout.
However, had Aldo pulled out the UFC would have had plenty of talent to choose from.
Max Holloway (13-3), Frankie Edgar (19-4-1) and Urijah Faber (32-8) are just some of the names that put their hands up to take the champion’s place against McGregor.
In fact, so many tweets regarding Aldo’s possible pull-out were directed at Dana White that he had no choice but to tell everyone to calm down over Twitter.
Relax everyone
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 23, 2015
Despite the scare, we can all breathe again. Jose Aldo was medically cleared to fight at UFC 189 and he claims that he is happy the fight is going to happen.
When McGregor found out the news, he responded in the only way he knows how.
It turned out he just had a little period pain.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 25, 2015
If Aldo is forced out of the bout for whatever reason, the UFC has a contingency plan in place.
First-ranked featherweight Chad Mendes (17-2) will step in to the octagon against McGregor for an interim-belt.
The UFC had this to say regarding the contingency plan:
“While Aldo has indicated that he will compete in Vegas on July 11, UFC has confirmed a contingency plan. No. 1 featherweight contender Chad Mendes will face McGregor for the interim UFC featherweight championship in the event Aldo cannot compete.
“UFC remains committed to delivering the featherweight and welterweight championship fights at UFC 189 during UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas.”
UFC 189 will also see UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler (25-10, 1NC) put his title on the line against Rory MacDonald (18-2) in rematch of Lawler’s split decision win over MacDonald back in November 2013.
You can follow the live blog right here on The Roar from 12pm (AEST) on July 12.
You can read more about MMA on Isaac’s blog, Full Guard MMA.
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