Shootkick Man
01-31-2015, 12:16 AM
LAS VEGAS -- The biggest fight in featherweight history is set.
Jose Aldo will defend his title against Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 189 on July 11 in Las Vegas, McGregor announced Friday before UFC 183 weigh-ins here at MGM Grand. McGregor earned the opportunity with his second-round TKO win over Dennis Siver earlier this month.
"We have the fight date for McGregor-Aldo, the biggest fight of the year," McGregor said. "Saturday, July 11th, International Fight Week, I'm gonna rip that Brazilian's head off."
The fight has been anticipated for some time now. McGregor's charisma and trash talk combined with his three straight knockouts since coming back from a torn ACL have made putting the fight together academic. The UFC has been building it brilliantly for months and McGregor hosted the UFC fan Q&A Friday here. Aldo did the same before McGregor's bout with Siver in Boston and McGregor was the man on the mic for the Q&A in front of a raucous crowd in Brazil back in October.
Aldo (25-1) is the greatest featherweight champion the sport has ever known. He has won 18 straight fights, including nine title defenses. If he beats McGregor, the 28-year-old Brazilian star will tie Anderson Silva's record of 10 straight title defenses, though three of Aldo's defenses came in the UFC.
McGregor (17-2) has been on a meteoric rise through the division and his ability to draw fans was underscored by excellent ratings for the fight against Siver on FOX Sports 1. The fast-talking, cocky Irishman is exactly what the UFC needs at this point in time and there is little doubt that he has helped elevate the 145-pound division in the eyes of fans. Before beating Siver, McGregor knocked out Diego Brandao and Dustin Poirier in 2014. He has won 13 straight fights altogether, including five in the UFC.
No other bouts have been announced for UFC 189. The card will be the focal point of International Fight Week, the UFC's annual celebration of MMA and combat sports in Las Vegas.
Jose Aldo will defend his title against Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 189 on July 11 in Las Vegas, McGregor announced Friday before UFC 183 weigh-ins here at MGM Grand. McGregor earned the opportunity with his second-round TKO win over Dennis Siver earlier this month.
"We have the fight date for McGregor-Aldo, the biggest fight of the year," McGregor said. "Saturday, July 11th, International Fight Week, I'm gonna rip that Brazilian's head off."
The fight has been anticipated for some time now. McGregor's charisma and trash talk combined with his three straight knockouts since coming back from a torn ACL have made putting the fight together academic. The UFC has been building it brilliantly for months and McGregor hosted the UFC fan Q&A Friday here. Aldo did the same before McGregor's bout with Siver in Boston and McGregor was the man on the mic for the Q&A in front of a raucous crowd in Brazil back in October.
Aldo (25-1) is the greatest featherweight champion the sport has ever known. He has won 18 straight fights, including nine title defenses. If he beats McGregor, the 28-year-old Brazilian star will tie Anderson Silva's record of 10 straight title defenses, though three of Aldo's defenses came in the UFC.
McGregor (17-2) has been on a meteoric rise through the division and his ability to draw fans was underscored by excellent ratings for the fight against Siver on FOX Sports 1. The fast-talking, cocky Irishman is exactly what the UFC needs at this point in time and there is little doubt that he has helped elevate the 145-pound division in the eyes of fans. Before beating Siver, McGregor knocked out Diego Brandao and Dustin Poirier in 2014. He has won 13 straight fights altogether, including five in the UFC.
No other bouts have been announced for UFC 189. The card will be the focal point of International Fight Week, the UFC's annual celebration of MMA and combat sports in Las Vegas.