The UFC has confirmed that Conor McGregor’s UFC Featherweight title bout with Jose Aldo will go ahead despite reports that the Brazilian had been injured in sparring.
It turns out Aldo didn’t break a rib so the two will go head to head in just over two weeks.
However there is an issue with Aldo’s rib so the UFC has a plan B in place if the champion cannot fight.
Chad Mendes is on standby to fight McGregor for an interim belt if Aldo is ruled out.
Below is the statement released by the UFC:
“ In light of recent reports regarding the status of UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, UFC has received official medical confirmation from several doctors that Aldo did not suffer a broken rib. Following a review of the scans, it has been determined that the champion suffered a bone bruise to his rib and cartilage injury during training.
With this news, Aldo has expressed that he has every intention of facing Conor McGregor at UFC 189.
While Aldo has indicated that he will compete in Las 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 the welterweight championship fights at UFC 189 during UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas. “
Thousands of Irish MMA fans will be at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on July 11th and they’ll be relieved that McGregor is on the card even if he does end up taking on a different opponent.
Not only have the fans forked out large sums of money to go the Vegas, the UFC has invested a huge amount in UFC 189.
McGregor and Aldo went on a world tour to promote the title fight and they included Dublin as a stop on the tour.
There has also been millions spent on advertising with this just one example:
