Conor McGregor finally lands Jose Aldo UFC title showdown date

Having stormed through the featherweight division to earn a deserved UFC world title shot, deadly Dubliner Conor McGregor’s supposed showdown with Jose Aldo was previously postponed, but a date has now finally been confirmed.

The dominant Irishman has become the star attraction of the sport, having clinically enjoyed a supreme rise to prominence, and will finally tackle world champion Aldo on December 12th where he will be odds-on 8/13 to triumph with Coral.

McGregor’s crack at the featherweight gold was dealt a massive blow when Brazilian bruiser Aldo pulled out of the initially agreed bout last month, citing an apparent rib injury as his reason for pulling out.

Although, instead of seeing an opportunity wasted, American grapple-specialist Chad Mendes was called in at the last minute to fill the void, with McGregor then further boosting his octagon credentials with a stunning stoppage victory.

Much was made of the Irishman’s apparent struggles to deal with wrestlers such as Mendes beforehand, but McGregor proved even more doubters wrong with his defiant defensive skills and a devastating second-round knockout.

Headlining the UFC 194 main event in Las Vegas on December 12th, McGregor will finally get his chance to combat Aldo, who pulled out of their previously scheduled encounter only 12 days prior to the bout.

McGregor, who has now emphatically won his six UFC contests to date, stated that he can’t have any respect for his upcoming foe Aldo, who is 13/10 to triumph this year, after he withdrew from their previously set liaison.

“The only way I would gain respect is through battle. He has been around a long time and done some good things. But he didn’t show up,” stated McGregor.

“He and his team were watching my fight from under their duvet, praying that Mendes would win so he wouldn’t have to fight me. How can I respect that?

“But if he does show up, in Dallas or Vegas, in December, it’s going to be big. It always is if McGregor’s on the card. I’ll unify these belts and then next summer we’ll go to Croke Park in Dublin.”

Meanwhile, the feisty Dubliner has also been involved in a war of words with undefeated 11-time world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather, along with fellow UFC warrior Ronda Rousey, claiming they would both demolish him.

“I’d also jump in and box Mayweather, 100 per cent. What do you think would happen? In a real fight I would dismantle him in seconds,” declared McGregor.

“Ronda [Rousey] would dismantle him in seconds, 100 per cent. When you don’t know how to grapple you don’t stand a chance. For us, it’s like playing with a baby. She would throw Floyd on his head in a second. Me? I would knock him out cold.

“Why would he take me on? But if you’re talking about a fight that could generate half a billion, it’s this one. There’s never going to be another boxing fight like this. Only a cross-style match between Mayweather and me could generate that kind of interest and revenue.”

Such an unorthodox match-up is never likely to be agreed, with Mayweather taking on Andre Berto in potentially his last ever fight in September(13/8 wins by KO or TKO), while McGregor has his sights firmly gazed on claiming Aldo’s belt in December.