UFC 194: Conor McGregor Has Won the Battle, Now Comes the War
In 2008, Conor McGregor predicted the future. On a crackly video tape, he declared his intention to not only rule the UFC, but reap the rewards that came with being the top fighter in the world.
“My dream is to be world champion of the UFC, have more money than I know what to do with – and I will be,” he said. “Guarantee it.”
Now he’s one victory away from turning that dream into a reality. On Saturday at UFC 194, the outspoken Irishman – and interim Featherweight titleholder – takes on Jose Aldo, the stoic, long-reigning champion, in a unification bout years in the making. And though anticipation is off the charts, McGregor (18-2) plans on making short work of Aldo (25-1), the only 145-pound champion in UFC history.
“This fight will be decided by the four-minute mark of the first round. Anything beyond that will be a mere formality,” McGregor said. “I just don’t see him answering the bell for the second round. I can’t see his face or his body at the beginning of the second round. I see him KO’d inside one.”
That tough talk is nothing new to anyone who’s followed McGregor’s rapid rise – he is clearly a man who enjoys the sound of his own voice – but it bears mention that he’s routinely backed up his claims. In 2014, he said Aldo wouldn’t show up for their fight, and their bout at UFC 189 was subsequently postponed when Aldo suffered a rib injury. McGregor predicted he’d bring a UFC event to his native Ireland, then defeated Diego Brandao in Dublin. He also proclaimed he’d be the bettor’s choice against Aldo (he opened as a near 2-1 favorite). And though he’s dubbed himself “Mystic Mac” for his ability to read the future, McGregor’s first-round KO prediction may be too lofty to achieve. Aldo has some of the best defensive statistics in the division, has never been knocked out and has not tasted defeat since November 2005. During his 18-fight winning, he’s repeatedly turned back the division’s most notable threats.
Born into poverty in Brazil, Aldo was a standout soccer player as a youngster before he discovered his true calling with MMA. UFC President Dana White has labeled Aldo as the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, though you wouldn’t know it – he lives in Rio de Janeiro and prepares for each fight with the same core group of coaches and training partners that have helped him maintain longstanding success. He still uses public transit, sits in the cheap seats when attending local soccer matches and has largely avoided the glamorous lifestyle that can overcome UFC champions.