Dana White: Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor likely for UFC 187 in Las Vegas in May

BOSTON – After cementing himself as the No. 1 featherweight contender, Conor McGregor is likely to face champ Jose Aldo at UFC 187, UFC President Dana White told MMAjunkie.

Following Sunday night’s UFC Fight Night 59, White targeted the title fight for the promotion’s traditional Memorial Day weekend event in Las Vegas.

“We’re looking at May in Vegas,” White told MMAjunkie following UFC Fight Night 59.

UFC 187 is scheduled for May 23. The event has yet to receive a venue, but would likely take place at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center or the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

McGregor (17-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) passed the final hurdle he faced to a title shot by stopping Dennis Siver (22-10 MMA, 11-7 UFC) in the second round of UFC Fight Night 59’s headliner at Boston’s TD Garden. The popular Irish featherweight then launched himself into the stands, where he confronted Aldo (25-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who was sitting cageside after crafting a special sign for the newly minted contender.

Afterward, in the UFC’s octagon, McGregor continued his war of words toward the champion.

“I’m going to hand him my spit bucket, tell him to spit-shine that belt, and bring it back here for me to take it,” he told the pro-Irish crowd.

Aldo, meanwhile, had no words of praise for McGregor.

“He called the fight in two minutes; it actually took over a round,” Aldo said. “Dennis Siver is a seasoned fighter, but not the caliber of fighter I’ve fought before, so I’m not really impressed.”

At the post-event news conference for UFC Fight Night 59, a lubricated McGregor welcomed a fight in Las Vegas despite earlier wishes that the bout would take place in his native Ireland, where he estimated he could sell out Dublin’s Croke Park Stadium.

“It’s absolutely perfect,” McGregor told MMAjunkie. “Of course, the stadium is a dream of mine, and I think the visions are getting there. Maybe I said two minutes; it was two rounds (to finish Siver). But I’m happy with Vegas.”

McGregor said he’d discussed the UFC’s decision to hold the event in Las Vegas and held aloft a byproduct of the meeting: a glass of whiskey.

“It’s tradition – I remove a head, I bring it backstage, I place it on (UFC co-owner) Mr. (Lorenzo) Fertitta and Mr. White’s desk. Here you go, boss, another one done. And then we discuss big business, and big business happens to be in viva Las Vegas, and one more head will be collected.”

White put the promotion’s choice into business terms, saying Aldo vs. McGregor in the UFC’s backyard is ultimately a better option. He didn’t, however, rule out another McGregor fight in Ireland. (This past July, “Notorious” sold out The O2 in Dublin.)

“There’s a lot of obstacles for Croke Park,” White told MMAjunkie. “The time – they have a curfew at night where you can’t get permits to stay out that late and do an event there. You lose about 25 to 30 percent doing a pay-per-view being in another country. The amount of money in production for Croke park; I can guarantee you it’s going to rain. I’m not a meteorologist, but I’ll bet you it’s going to rain.

“I’m not saying we’re never going to do it, but Vegas for this one.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 59, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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