I don't think you'd want to be Alcides Nunes right now.
The sparring partner who accidentally broke Jose Aldo's rib is feeling a little bit downtrodden right now, given that his wayward kick has jeopardized Aldo's featherweight title defense against Conor McGregor at UFC 189.
But give Nunes credit. In an interview with Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting published Wednesday afternoon, he took full responsibility for the mishap and admitted to being pretty broken up about causing the injury and perhaps scuttling one of the most anticipated main events of the UFC year.
"I’m still sad about all this," Nunes told Cruz. "As a fan and an athlete, I know this is devastating. I’m really sad. Aldo was in shape and prepared for this fight."
Soon there will be a therapy group of such men. Sokoudjou, Alcides Nunes, the guy who injured Cain, et al... http://t.co/i1Hkfm2AHQ
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) June 24, 2015
Nunes also explained in detail what happened during the fateful sparring session:
I threw a kick but slipped with all the sweat on the mat, and ended up hitting his rib. I was mimicking McGregor’s unorthodox style, things he does in the fight. I’m also left-handed, my style is similar to his, so that’s why they asked me to be part of his camp, but I ended up slipping and causing this injury. ... He finished the round, and then decided to stop. I’m sure he would continue to train if he could.
Nunes is a pro himself, sporting a 5-0 record in various regional circuits. He apparently joined up with Aldo's vaunted Nova Uniao camp to help Aldo prepare for McGregor and his southpaw striking style.
The brash and charismatic McGregor has rocketed to the top of the UFC in short order, and his panache in front of a microphone helped build a mountain of hype for the July 11 title bout.
Just know that it is business as usual up here at the top. See you all on July 11th. pic.twitter.com/WXGPRFWj0y
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 24, 2015
For now, though, McGregor and all MMA fans are in limbo as Aldo and his team consult with doctors to evaluate potential courses of action. An earlier, separate report from Cruz and MMA Fighting indicated that Team Aldo would meet with doctors Wednesday to determine a course of action.
Until Aldo or UFC officials make an announcement, fans will have to wait and see whether Aldo will be able to fight through the fractured rib, which is reportedly causing him "deep pain," according to Cruz.
