DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 31: UFC President Dana White (C) separates UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo of Brazil (L) and title challenger Conor 'The Notorious' McGregor of Ireland (R) as they face off during the UFC 189 World Championship Fan Event on March 31, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Jose Aldo has spent a lot more time with antagonist Conor McGregor than he would have probably liked to, without yet getting to lay hands on challenger. At every turn, McGregor has ranted, raved, threatened, and insulted the UFC's longest-reigning world champion.
Well, at least in public. In a recent interview with Combate, Aldo said that the Irishman's show is just for cameras.
"[McGregor] likes to taunt. He sees a camera and then he puts on a little show," he said.
When their interacting wasn't pre-planned by McGregor, however, Aldo claimed that the man he's set to fight in December acted a whole lot less rough. "When I showed up in the TUF house, [McGregor] reached his hand out to shake mine," he remembered.
"Scarface" claims that he was expecting and ready for a fight between he and McGregor in that moment. Instead, Aldo says that the "Notorious" star was surprised, and subdued.
"I thought we were going to fight right there," he continued.
"[McGregor] complained to [UFC president] Dana [White] and [UFC co-owner and CEO] Lorenzo [Fertitta]. He said that he was set up."
After being forced out of their originally-scheduled title fight in July with serious rib injuries, Aldo seems all the more revved up to make McGregor pay for all his insults. Beating back challengers and defending his featherweight world title is nothing new for the Brazilian, but he plans to make a statement on McGregor's body and face, this time.
"You can be sure I will hurt him like I have never before done to anyone," he said.
"He will leave the fight busted up and I will leave with another victory."
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