On Saturday, Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor will finally step into the Octagon in one of the most hotly anticipated fights of the year at UFC 194.
McGregor has stoked the fires ahead of the clash in Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena, claiming he will win inside a single round, per UFC:
"It will be wrapped up inside one" - @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC194 https://t.co/wpvPnDinJP
— UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2015
When they go head-to-head, though, the war of words and all the posturing will go out the window. All that will be left is the two men in the Octagon.
Here, we take a look at what each fighter needs to do in order to come out on top.
Conor McGregor
First, the Irishman would be wise to capitalise on his two-inch height advantage and four-inch reach advantage by keeping Aldo out of range and stopping him using his array of strikes—his quick, impressive jab in particular.
As MMA writer David Kano notes, McGregor's superior size could well prove a significant challenge to Aldo:
Jose Aldo doesn't match up well against McGregor. He's never fought someone taller, longer reach w/ the range & striking CMac has. #UFC194
— David Kano (@TheDKano) December 3, 2015
One of Aldo's biggest strengths is his defensive capability—parrying or weaving away from attacks before countering with brutal efficiency.
To overcome that, McGregor will need to make full use of his arsenal—from the left straight to the right hook and the left round kick to the jumping knee—to keep up relentless pressure on the 29-year-old, which could tire out his opponent.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Snowden believes his left in particular to be his ultimate weapon—one powerful enough that Aldo may not be able to win this on the feet:
So, Jose Aldo better get his ass to the wrestling room. Because that Conor McGregor left hand is the TRUTH. #UFC189
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) July 12, 2015
What could further help McGregor overwhelm Aldo is if he can force him toward the cage, thereby limiting the Brazilian's movement and ability to avoid his powerful strikes—it would also allow the Irishman to utilise his pace most effectively.
In order to do so, the 27-year-old's impressive array of front and spinning kicks can corral Aldo to exactly where he wants him.
If McGregor can negate Aldo's almost impregnable defence in this way, his combination of pace, power and unrelenting stamina should see him triumph on Saturday.
Jose Aldo
To negate McGregor's size advantage and any attempts to force him against the cage, Aldo's infamously quick, hard and accurate counterattacks will need to be at their best.
Indeed, that is where he often thrives—punishing his opponent's boldness with a variety of unpredictable returns.
The Brazilian will most likely attempt to keep the fight in the centre of the Octagon and hit McGregor in the pocket, using his movement and dynamism to great effect and bringing the Irishman within range of his powerful leg kicks.
Aldo, who is undefeated since 2005 and the current featherweight champion, will probably enjoy the greatest success if he can get McGregor onto the mat and onto his back.
Not only is Aldo—who has a Nova Uniao black belt in jiu-jitsu—an effective wrestler on the offensive, but defensive wrestling is the one deficiency in McGregor's game.
SB Nation's Luke Thomas believes this was exposed in his fight with Chad Mendes, while Snowden also highlighted it as a weakness in the contest:
I'll say this. I like Aldo's chances a lot more now, but that is going to be one hell of a fight.
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) July 12, 2015
Conor's wrestling defense is exactly what we thought it was. But his striking is still dangerous enough to make it interesting. #UFC189
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) July 12, 2015
Of course, getting McGregor in that position will be difficult, but if Aldo can do so, he would have a serious chance of winning.
The two fighters both boast great resilience and the ability to take or avoid punishment, so expect this one to go right down to the wire—and above all live up to its billing as a real thriller.
