Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor have no issues shaking hands after UFC 194 – despite rivalry

Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor can’t seem to agree on much ahead of their UFC 194 featherweight title unification bout. One thing they can agree on? They will both be respectful when the dust settles.

The long build to the grudge match between Aldo (25-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and McGregor (18-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has been filled with tense moments and unexpected twists. Countless words have been exchanged, and because of that next Saturday’s championship fight is expected to be one of the biggest in UFC history.

One thing that makes MMA so unique, though, is the level of sportsmanship when all is said and done. The most bitter of relationships can be hashed out over the course of a 25- or 15-minute fight, and both Aldo and McGregor are rational enough to realize they will likely take a moment to embrace regardless of how the UFC 194 headliner plays out.

“I’m really thinking of the fight right now, but after the fight’s over I see no problem in shaking his hand,” Aldo told MMAjunkie through an interpreter. “You know, we’re going to have to see how the fight plays ou,t but I’m going to be there working as well as he’s going to be in there working, and everyone else is, so I don’t see a problem with that.”

McGregor, who is arguably the boldest and most controversial character on the UFC’s roster, echoed those sentiments and said his differences with Aldo will be settled inside the octagon.

“I am always respectful, free, unposed, (and) I touch the glove before the fight begins,” McGregor said. “I won’t touch the glove when the referee waves us in to fight, and then I’ll touch the glove after the fight when it’s all said and done. This is business. On Dec. 12, two nations will collide, but peace will be restored through battle.”

UFC 194 takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Aldo vs. McGregor headlines the pay-per-view main card following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Despite a nearly 10-year undefeated streak and nearly five years as undisputed UFC featherweight champion, Aldo will enter his eighth title defense as a betting underdog to McGregor.

The odds don’t rattle “Scarface,” he said, because whether he’s expected to win or not, he said he’ll do the same that has led him to an 18-fight winning streak.

“It really doesn’t matter to me who underestimates me,” Aldo said. “I train for myself, I fight for myself, so whatever he thinks or anyone else doesn’t matter at all to me. I’m going to go in there and win, which is what I always do.”

McGregor clearly has other plans. “The Notorious” has publicly stated he intends to stop Aldo with strikes within four minutes of the first round. That won’t be an easy task, but if anyone is willing to make such a claim and live up to it, that would be McGregor.

“I got a phenomenal training camp in, solid, solid work,” McGregor said. “Everything has been going smooth. My body is right. My mind is even more solid than it is.”

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