Jose Aldo spoke highly about Conor McGregor at his peak in the UFC. The former UFC featherweight champion pointed to two clear traits that set McGregor apart. He noted that the Irishman’s skills and gift for self-promotion made him a global superstar.
Aldo and McGregor fought in the main event of UFC 194. That night was a coronation of sorts for ‘The Notorious,’ as he delivered a 13-second knockout. The Irishman reached a new level of stardom after the biggest win of his career and continued to excel.
Aldo highlighted two of McGregor’s key traits and explained how he has utilized them effectively.
“First, [McGregor’s] fighting style, he’s obviously a great fighter, aggressive, strong striking,” Aldo told Jackpot City Casino. “Second, what he does outside the octagon, his marketing, his ability to read opponents, to get into their heads. He knows exactly what he’s doing.”
The Brazilian noted that those traits turned him into the star he is today.
“When you combine those two factors, you get a star like him. If he has that name and recognition, it’s because he earned it.”
Jose Aldo Praises Conor McGregor’s Self-Promotion
Jose Aldo also praised Conor McGregor for his strong ability to promote his fights and stay relevant in the sport. ‘The Notorious’ has suffered defeats during his career, but that has not changed how he presents himself.
Aldo highlighted McGregor’s ability to strategically build animosity with his opponents and play mind games. He noted that even in defeat, ‘The Notorious’ is always thinking about his next move.
“It’s his style and his ability to sell himself like no one else. He knows how to talk, how to act, and he carries that into the fight, whether it works or not,” Aldo told Jackpot City Casino. “Win or lose, he already knows how he’s going to behave. He’s very different from everyone else, he’s got the right mindset and brilliant marketing. It’s the perfect combination.”
Aldo Addresses Whether His Career Would Be Different if He Defeated McGregor
Aldo also addressed his loss to McGregor and how his career may have been different if he won at UFC 194 instead. The result set the stage for significant milestones, including McGregor capturing a second championship and later facing Floyd Mayweather in boxing.
While he wished the fight went in his favor, Aldo believes it McGregor’s fate to win. The Brazilian hoped to get a rematch, but did not dwell on it when it failed to materialize.
“I believe in destiny. It wasn’t my mistake, it was Conor’s merit. He landed a great shot and won. After that, he moved up. I understand now, he struggled to make weight. He gained weight and never returned to featherweight because he wasn’t a natural fit for the division,” Aldo told Jackpot City Casino. “I think things happened as they were meant to. I did my job, I fought, I won what I had to win, and I carried on on. I’ve never been one to dwell on losses.”
He continued:
“Once you spill a glass of milk, you can’t undo it, you clean it up and move on. That’s how my career went. I asked for a rematch, then I fought for the title again, won it, and kept going.”
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