Dana White trusts Aldo's participation in UFC 189, but criticizes the champion's training

D. White (right) trusts Aldo's participation in UFC 189. Photo: Reproduction

UFC management is confident that the original plans for the July 11 event will be maintained. Despite the injury to his rib, José Aldo, the president of the organization, Dana White, and partner Lorenzo Fertitta believe that the Brazilian will be ready to step into the octagon and face Conor McGregor.

See too

Former UFC fighter and commentator says Aldo should fight at UFC 189 for the money

Nevada commission says Aldo should have no problem receiving license to fight

Aldo's trainer points out differences between Brazilian and UFC diagnoses regarding injury

For White, the featherweight champion's injury is not serious enough to remove him from the card, since, according to him, other athletes have already competed in similar situations. “The injury he had is the same as the one Cerrone had when he fought recently. Cerrone was hit in the body and still won the fight. Dan Henderson He has already fought with this injury and several other fighters”, explained White, in an interview with the North American website “MMA Fighting”.

The president explained his initial reaction upon hearing the news and took the opportunity to criticize Aldo's training methods, who was injured when he was kicked by a sparring partner. “I had to kneel! I literally had to get down on my knees. After everything we've been through... The guy was hit by a round kick to the body, two weeks before the fight. What are you doing? Giving your partner, a world champion, a kick like that before the biggest fight of your life? It’s crazy, man,” he stated.

Fertitta also showed confidence in holding the fight, but highlighted that, if the fight doesn't get off the ground, the UFC already has an alternative that, according to him, would not compromise the level of the event. “I'm very confident [that the fight will happen]. But obviously we are trying to ensure that, at the end of the day, we can deliver a great event. So we had to look Chad Mendes, who accepted immediately. All signs say that José will be fine, but if something happens, Mendes will fight. So, we have this trick up our sleeve”, said Fertitta, also on “MMA Fighting”. “At the moment, the fight is on. But, if Aldo comes to us and says he's not well, no problem, we have a plan B. I'm excited for the 11th. We still have two fights for the belt and all the fights on the card look incredible on paper”, he added.

[vox id=”27227″]