Conor McGregor continued with his attempts to get under Jose Aldo's skin during the London UFC 189 World Tour event ahead of their highly anticipated fight on July 11, but the defending champion returned to his stoic ways after numerous incidents in the past week.
The featherweight world champion momentarily lost his cool during the staredown, engaging the flamboyant Irishman in a war of words, per UFC United Kingdom, but he remained relatively distant throughout the press conference:
Intense! @josealdojunior and @TheNotoriousMMA face off on the London leg of the #UFCWorldTour https://t.co/oeGIlfHRNI
— UFC United Kingdom (@UFC_UK) March 30, 2015
Compared to what happened in Boston, where Dana White had to step in to break up the two during the staredown, or Toronto, where the pair nearly came to blows during an interview, the London stop of the tour must have been a nice change of pace for the UFC boss.
The latest episode of the UFC 189 World Championship Tour Embedded showed the full animosity between both fighters during their stop in Toronto:
McGregor did his very best to bait Aldo in London, and he was visibly excited to be speaking in front of his own fans.
The 26-year-old insisted the title fight would be a short one:
"It'll be wrapped up in the first four minutes," says @TheNotoriousMMA on #UFCWorldTour about facing Jose Aldo pic.twitter.com/ZCCipQzzHk
— UFC United Kingdom (@UFC_UK) March 30, 2015
He also took a little shot at his past opponents, daring Aldo to trade blows with him when the fight finally gets underway:
“MMA is a safe game, I’ve not been touched once inside the Octagon,” - @TheNotoriousMMA on #UFCWorldTour in London pic.twitter.com/V5c2IA8kfi
— UFC United Kingdom (@UFC_UK) March 30, 2015
But no matter how hard he tried, Aldo wouldn't take the bait. The 28-year-old Brazilian fell for McGregor's antics in Boston and Toronto, but he went back to his usual calm demeanor on the other side of the pond.
He had a very simple explanation for how he's able to take the constant abuse from McGregor throughout this world tour:
"I don’t have any emotion," says @josealdojunior on the #UFCWorldTour presser in London pic.twitter.com/TxHaFPMuvZ
— UFC United Kingdom (@UFC_UK) March 30, 2015
Reporters kept pressing the Brazilian for quotes on his opponent's taunting, but Aldo wouldn't budge:
"He can say what we wants, it's business, it doesn't bother me" - @josealdojunior on McGregor's talk on #UFCWorldTour pic.twitter.com/mcX9VbN7rc
— UFC United Kingdom (@UFC_UK) March 30, 2015
Aldo has been enjoying himself during this part of the tour, and he made an appearance on the Wembley pitch for the international match between Brazil and Chile. If the champion, who has made 10 title defences going back to his days with WEC, is in any way worried about his latest challenger, he's not showing it.
There's no denying McGregor's rise through the UFC ranks has been impressive, and you get the sense this world tour is exactly the kind of stage he wanted. He's brash, confident and rude, and he's a master of finding his opponent's weak points before the fight has even started.
He appeared to be doing just that during the North American part of the tour, drawing Aldo out of his cage, and he won't mind one bit it didn't work in London. After all, he still has to promote himself as one of the most explosive fighters the UFC has on its roster:
"If you’re in the pocket with me and I hit you, you’re done," - @TheNotoriousMMA on #UFCWorldTour in London pic.twitter.com/JAnXKj2bZh
— UFC United Kingdom (@UFC_UK) March 30, 2015
Aldo is a fantastic stand-up fighter himself, and while he may not be the most explosive guy in the UFC—five of his last seven wins have come through decision—his record speaks for itself.
McGregor, meanwhile, is undefeated since joining the UFC and hasn't lost a fight since 2010. Four of his last five bouts ended with TKOs, highlighting his tendency to overwhelm opponents with speed and power.
On July 11, we'll finally find out whether the Irishman is the one to knock off the long-standing featherweight champion. The world tour will conclude in Dublin on Tuesday.
