“Conor winning [at UFC 194] is f***ing good for the sport… People f***ing love that guy, so I think the big money fights would be with him as champion. So [a McGregor win] makes a lot of sense. But I really like Jose Aldo. It’s kind of a win-win for me… Who’s the easier fight for some of my guys? I’ve gotta say Conor is. Aldo’s really, really well-versed with takedown defense. You saw Chad [Mendes] was able to take down Conor at will. So having Conor win is a good thing for the wrestlers in the division and the sport in general. And Jose Aldo is a legend.”
-Urijah Faber talks to MMAJunkie.com about the UFC 194 main event between Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo, and why he thinks a win for the Irishman could be the best outcome for the most people.
Penick’s Analysis: It’s clearly the outcome the UFC would prefer. Not only has McGregor captured an audience with his rocketed rise to the top of the division, he’s proven he can sell events well, and has not been combative with the organization the way Jose Aldo has been. A McGregor win means more money fights for the division, and though Aldo perhaps could leave this feud as a much bigger star in his own right, it’s hard for non-English speaking fighters to get the pay-per-view buying audience in North America consistently. That’s an unfortunate fact given just how good Aldo is, but doesn’t make it any less accurate. Regardless, that’s why the fights happen, and both McGregor and Aldo will be trying to stake claim to that top spot on Dec. 12.
[Urijah Faber art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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