Despite a late change in opponent after featherweight champion Jose Aldo was forced out of UFC 189’s main event with a rib injury, third-ranked Conor McGregor is still confident he will leave Las Vegas with a belt.
Chad Mendes didn’t hesitate to sign the contract when he got the call, and McGregor didn’t think twice about accepting the new opponent.
“The approach for me was that I came in and I told them (UFC) that I was going to destroy everyone in the division” said McGregor.
“One by one I would get every single one of them, I said that time and time again”.
McGregor was disappointed that he wouldn’t get the chance to face Aldo, but the Irishman believes that the bout against Mendes is for the real featherweight belt.
“If he (Aldo) mans up we should most certainly get it on, he’s gone running and I don’t think he’ll be back” he said.
McGregor accused Aldo of using his rib injury to pull out of the fight, referencing previous reports indicating that he would be fit to compete.
“You’re (Aldo) fit to fight, and you’re not going to fight, the belt rightfully should be stripped and this is for the real featherweight belt” he said.
Despite not being able to fight the Aldo, McGregor admits that his UFC dream is centered around the belt and not the champion.
“It was never about the champion, it was never about any of that it was about me destroying every single one of these featherweights.
“Whether it’s Jose, Chad, they’re all going to get it every single one of them are going to get it”.
There are significant style differences between Aldo and Mendes, McGregor claims he doesn’t need to alter his training regime.
“I don’t have a game plan” he said.
“I just go in formless, ruthless, cold and that’s it.
“It does not matter who’s in front of me or what style or what approach they have.
“My approach will win the fight”.
The UFC had spent a lot of money promoting Aldo versus McGregor, but despite the late change in opponent the Irishman believes that the financial viability of the event won’t be affected.
“This is the McGregor show” he said.
“People are showing up to see me, it doesn’t matter if it’s Jose or Chad.
“It would have been nice if Jose didn’t pussy out but we’ll take the substitute, we’ll take the B-level guy (Mendes) and we’ll still break records”.
Conor McGregor is undefeated in the UFC and is coming off a second-round TKO win over Dennis Siver.
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