Analysis: Was McGregor’s Aldo victory a fluke?
A fan creates a video to address comments that McGregor’s victory over Aldo was the result of a fluke punch. The video shows, using video from previous McGregor and Aldo fights, that McGregor baited Aldo, taking advantage of moves Aldo had used in earlier fights.
Holloway beats Aldo to become featherweight champion
In Rio de Janeiro, Holloway beats Aldo to become the undisputed featherweight world champion. Halfway through the third round Holloway puts Aldo on the mat and rains blows onto his opponent’s face. Jose is not able to get back up and after Hollway repeatedly hits the back of Aldo’s head the referee calls an end to the fight at 4m13s.
Dana White where’s my 50K? I want my check!
OHHHHHHHHHHH @BlessedMMA DROPS ALDO IN ROUND 3!!!!! #UFC212 pic.twitter.com/jCRYvEuHSo
— UFC (@ufc) June 4, 2017
Aldo releases post-fight statement
Aldo releases a statement after his loss to Holloway, quoting Spanish philosopher Baltasar Gracián and re-affirming his intentions of fighting again.
“Be content to act, and leave the talking to others” – Baltasar Gracian. I only have to thank my ‘dad’ Andre Pederneiras, the best team in the world, Nova Uniao, because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be the people’s champion, and (thank) all my trainers, who did a super well done job and got me ready, and all my fans who are always with me, here’s my love and my thank you. I’m speechless with all the love I’ve received until today, and every word you send to me. Thank you.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU-CQerDJ8H/
Holloway praises ‘GOAT’ Aldo
After his win over the Brazilian fighter, Holloway praises Aldo on Instagram.
Losing is part of this fight game. Saturday night takes nothing away from his legacy. This is a guy who would show up to his gym sometimes without eating in the last day because he was so damn poor. This is a guy who built the 45 division and became king. This is a guy who found motivation to keep earning what he already had. He defended his throne. For a decade. For honor. For his team. For his countrymen. This is a guy who didn’t start at pole position in this world and look at what he achieved. Brazil needs to celebrate that man. Acai with powered milk and cashews for everyone. He’s a GOAT, and his story will always be an inspiration to me and people of Hawaii. Obrigado, [Jose Aldo] Obrigado.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVC8uKOhJan/
Lobov calls out Aldo
After losing by decision to Cub Swanson, Lobov targets Aldo for his next fight.
Dont mean 2 kick u while ur down,but realistically I am as close to Conor as u could get. Forget everything and lets do it! It'be an honour
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) June 7, 2017
Holloway: Aldo hits harder than McGregor
Holloway speaks about his experiences facing both Aldo and McGregor, and says of the two Aldo is the hardest hitter.
We saw a bunch of things in José’s game that I thought I could take advantage of and that we did. His favourite tool to use are the leg-kick and the knee. After the first round I told my corner ‘he’s not that fast’ but his explosiveness is quick. He’s definitely the hardest hitter I’ve ever felt and his hands are huge.
Aldo: ‘McGregor was never a champion of anything’
Aldo says:
McGregor was never a champion of anything. He defeated the champion and left. A real champion has to defend (the belt). I speak for (Max) Holloway because, win or lose (against Frankie Edgar), he will be there fighting. I’m happy that Holloway is the champion. An example, someone who deserved being where he is.
Aldo: No moral victory in McGregor’s loss
Aldo speaks about the series of laugh-crying emojis he tweeted in the moments after McGregor lost to Mayweather.
First of all, I didn’t even watch the fight. I was at a football game… I don’t know. I have people who take care of my social media… You know every athlete has people who handle their social media – who work their social media.
And the ex-champ says he wasn’t particularly surprised when he heard the result.
Conor doesn’t have good cardio, and (they) knew he’s not used to boxing. Mayweather was closed up, just waiting for the time to pounce. The guy hadn’t fought for two years. He didn’t even prepare for the fight.
Asked if thought McGregor won a moral victory by lasting ten rounds:
Of course not. Moral? First of all, you try to prove that with someone who’s almost 41, who’s been away (from the sport). Of course, it was a money fight. A moral victory would have been taking on an active boxer, a champion, and then fought him. And then you’d see how he would barely last a round. Because it’s an entirely different sport. We need to put ourselves in our places. I’m an MMA athlete. I can’t go tomorrow and say I’m going to do muay Thai in Thailand with a Thai fighter, because I can punch and kick well. There’s no way. Each one in their places. I respect martial arts, so I put myself in my place. I don’t see a moral victory.
Aldo: Strip McGregor if title if he doesn’t defend it
Aldo says the UFC should strip McGregor of his lightweight belt if he doe not defend it.
Thank God my division is moving. It would be bad if it was stuck, but my division is moving. It’s hard, right? Every athlete dreams of becoming champion, fighting for the title, and the guy is holding up the division. But it’s up to the UFC to make the decisions. The UFC needs to do what has to be done: you take the belt away or make him defend it. I think everyone is waiting for that…He has to defend it, has to put his belt on the line in order to become champion. He only won the title. For me, Ferguson has great possibilities of becoming champion in the future.
McGregor congratulates Aldo
McGregor congratulates Aldo on his win over Jeremy Stevens.
I’m so happy for him. To see the joy he had after [the win]… It’s a crazy business and I know he’s gone through a lot of stuff, so to see him come back with that great finish, I was very happy for him and his coach Andre Pederneiras. The whole of Ireland was happy for Jose Aldo that night.
