Conor McGregor opens just shy of 2-1 favorite over Jose Aldo at UFC 194

Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor

Unlike before, UFC interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor (18-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) opened as a betting favorite over longtime champ Jose Aldo (25-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) for their long-awaited meeting at UFC 194.

Although McGregor was tested more than ever before in the promotion’s octagon at UFC 189, when he won the interim strap over short-notice replacement and three-time title challenger Chad Mendes (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC), he is just below a 2-1 favorite to unify the titles on Dec. 12 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

McGregor ranges from -160 to -190 on bestfightodds.com, an aggregator of betting lines. In advance of UFC 189, the popular Irish featherweight was a +150 underdog to unseat Aldo, who opened as a -180 favorite.

Aldo’s favorite status evaporated after reports of a rib injury surfaced. He was later was forced to withdraw from the blockbuster pay-per-view.

Although early indications pegged the title unification bout for Dec. 5 at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium, the UFC recently announced it would be moved to Dec. 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. UFC President Dana White has said the first bout was on track to sell over a million pay-per-view buys; that number could tick higher with the reschedule.

Aldo is expected to return to training shortly, and his coach recently told MMAjunkie he’ll be ready to fight by December. The Brazilian champ has called McGregor’s belt “a toy” and promised to have the last word on their heated rivalry.

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