Aldo vs. McGregor rematch? 'Notorious' says Aldo would need worthy performance

Conor McGregor said he’s open to a rematch with Jose Aldo after UFC 194 – but only if Aldo surpasses his expectations in tonight’s featherweight title-unification bout.

Aldo (25-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is the only featherweight titleholder in UFC history and has gone more than 10 years without a loss. McGregor (18-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is viewed by many as his biggest threat to date, and if “The Notorious” can dethroned the champ, it’ll mark a new chapter in the the division.

Historically, when a longtime UFC champ drops the belt, an immediate rematch is offered. Aldo would deserve that chance as much as anyone, whether he loses by split decision or is knocked out inside 10 seconds.

McGregor has boldly predicted he will close out the pay-per-view showcase at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena with a title-winning victory. Moreover, he said he’ll get the job done within four minutes of the first round.

If McGregor lives up to his prediction, he said there’s no reason to grant Aldo a rematch. If the Brazilian lasts longer than expected, though, McGregor said he might change his tune.

Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor

“We’ll have to see how the contest plays out; if he can give me a war and he can handle a rematch, well then, we can do a rematch, but I just don’t see him answering the bell for the second round,” McGregor told MMAjunkie. “I can’t see his face or his body at the beginning of the second round. I see him KO’d inside (the first one). And when you KO a man inside one, there’s no need for a rematch.”

Aldo has never been knocked out in his career and brings an 18-fight winning streak into UFC 194. However, McGregor is confident he can dethrone Aldo and begin his own reign atop the division.

Although a rematch would likely be big business for the UFC regardless of how the fight unfolds, McGregor said a second fight with Aldo is not part of his plans for the future.

The brash Irishman has already called his shot beyond UFC 194. He wants to move up to the lightweight division and become the first to hold two UFC belts simultaneously, but that’s getting ahead of the task at hand.

Not only does McGregor have to get through Aldo, but former UFC champ Frankie Edgar is next in line for a title shot after his first-round knockout of Chad Mendes at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale on Friday.

Although the challenges are stacking up, McGregor doesn’t appear to be rattled. He said his plans for the future are set, and it’s up to the man standing across the octagon from him at UFC 194 to alter them.

“If he can bring a war and we can do this and trade for five rounds or whatever, then maybe I’ll consider a rematch, but I feel he won’t get up off the stool and answer that bell for the second round,” McGregor said. “I will KO Jose Aldo and I will face the winner of the lightweight belt, which takes place a week after, and then I will fight for that. So within the next two fights, I will be a two-weight world champion.”

For more on UFC 194, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.