Video: Aldo and McGregor almost fight and are separated at an official UFC press conference

Aldo and McGregor almost fight at a UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction

The atmosphere became tense again between José Aldo e Conor McGregor. On the afternoon of this Friday (4), the UFC held a large press conference to promote its events in the coming months and the two champions of the featherweight division were once again face to face. For a very short time, things didn't come to fruition.

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After several provocations, the two athletes were asked by UFC president, Dana White, to face each other. Neither of them backed down: both “pushed heads” and had to be separated by the boss.

Soon after, Aldo and McGregor continued to provoke each other, even though they were far from each other. The two exchanged faces, while the Brazilian stated that his rival “needed to take a shower”.

Moments before, the two had exchanged several barbs at the press conference. “With each passing day I see that he is a clown. He likes to make everyone laugh, and everyone laughs in his face. I see him as nothing. It’s a shame I couldn’t fight [in July], but I’ll arrive and shut him up on December 12th,” said the Brazilian.

In response, McGregor spoke about the meeting he had with Aldo during the recording of TUF 22. “The first thing I thought was 'wow, I never thought I'd actually see you'. I hugged him, whispered friendly things and said 'calm down, everything will be fine'. I don't want to scare him anymore. I want to keep him calm and tell him everything is going to be okay. It will all be over very quickly,” he commented.

Aldo, irritated, mentioned the Irishman's last fight, when he hit Chad Mendes to win the interim title. “Damn, the guy got into a fight with Chad, who was on vacation, fishing, and got into the fight two weeks ago. And he still comes to talk? He looked like a turtle with its back to the ground”, said Aldo.

“Yeah, but it was Chad who looked like a turtle. And when you fought Chad, he reconfigured his face. I love you, I love you like my little b*tch,” said McGregor.

The fight between Aldo and McGregor will take place on December 12th, at UFC 194, in Las Vegas (USA). The Brazilian holds the linear belt, while “Notório” won the interim title in July.

.@josealdojunior facing @TheNotoriousMMA at the press conference. Imagine in the fight #GOBIG #UFC194!!! https://t.co/CXfb0cDRnU

— UFC Brazil (@ufc_brasil) 4 2015 September

All against McGregor

Cerrone and Mendes also clashed with McGregor. Photo: Reproduction

During the press conference, McGregor once again showed that he knows how to attract attention. Even though the event was packed with stars – like Vitor belfort, Ronda Rousey e Rafael dos Anjos -, the Irishman ended up attracting the spotlight, mainly by exchanging provocations with several of the athletes present.

Starting with Dos Anjos and Donald Cerrone, who will compete in December for the title in the under 70 kg category. The two fighters reacted harshly to the recent statement that McGregor intends to move up to lightweight. “If he wants to move up in weight, I’m here. It will be easy money”, said the Brazilian.

“If Dana offered you a fight with me instead of Cerrone, you would run over and hug your wife and celebrate. You would earn money. I can make you rich! I’m the money guy in every division,” McGregor then teased.

Then it was Cerrone’s turn: “Conor has no right to talk about lightweight fighters. We are very strong and would kick your Irish ass. Conor is very good at talking. We were together for 30 minutes backstage and he had nothing to say. Then we got to the stage and he started talking, talking”, said the “Caubói”.

McGregor didn't let it go: “You guys are too slow. I would do away with that category. The category is stuck in the mud,” he countered.

Then, a journalist asked a question to Joseph Duffy, the last fighter to defeat McGregor, who will face Dustin poirier, recently beaten by the Irishman. Once again, the interim champion took the opportunity to tease: “There are two more guys who gained notoriety because of me.”

Those who also had a war of words with Conor were Chad Mendes. Asked if he would like to have another opportunity to face the executioner, as he had little preparation time in the first meeting, the American said: “Facing him with complete training would be ideal. I would beat him up”, he commented.

“Would you give me a beating? I also only trained for a few weeks to fight you. I knocked you out and you cowered like a little bitch. You say you are the Mike Tyson featherweight, but he hits like a strawweight”, retorted the loud-mouthed Irishman.

Finally, the featherweight and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar admitted that he wants to face McGregor. “This guy attracts money, so it would be a lie if I said I wasn’t interested in facing him,” he declared.

McGregor didn’t stay quiet: “That’s what I want from people! May they be honest! Well done, Frankie. People criticize me and say that I just talk, but I stand by what I say,” he sent.