While Conor McGregor isn’t exactly known to be the most compassionate person in the world, “The Notorious” trash-talker can’t help but feel sympathy for former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo.
In addition to the heartfelt message he included in his recent post-UFC 194 blog about his crazy year in 2015, new undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor shared his honest feelings on Aldo during his solo UFC 194 post-fight press conference on Saturday night.
“Jose has been a phenomenal champion,” McGregor said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “It would’ve been nice if the contest had of stretched out a little bit longer just for all that it’s been through, but I still feel the same process would’ve happened. Timing beats speed; precision beats power. That’s it. I respect Jose. I wish him well, but now we are on to the next chapter.”
McGregor also revealed what he said to Aldo face-to-face in the Octagon after knocking him out in 13 seconds to break Ronda Rousey’s record for the fastest knockout in UFC title fight history.
“What I said was, ‘Look we can go again.’ Although it’s a nice feeling to get that knockout, it’s kind of not nice because you can see what’s happening around,” McGregor said. “You don’t want to see the only champion in the company’s history going out like that. I had a little moment where I felt sorry for Jose.
“It’s been a long road, and I appreciate that he showed up here and made the journey. Because I have no doubt there were options to pull [out] like the last time. This time he stuck around. I just said we can do it again, but he was off in his own world, I believe. They are probably still resentful and bitter towards it. Like I said: Winners focus on winning, losers focus on winners.”
While Aldo has kept off the radar since suffering his first loss in ten years this past weekend, he did speak about wanting a rematch in the Octagon immediately after the loss.
“I think we need a rematch and that will be my fight. The trash talking didn’t affect me, I don’t care what he says,” Aldo said. “Thanks to everyone watching in Brazil and thank you for the support. I will be back.”
Aldo might be looking forward to an immediate rematch, but McGregor explained at the post fight press conference why that might not be what happens next.
“That’s on him. That’s up to him what way he goes about his next step. I feel he could take a step back, re-center himself,” McGregor said. “It’s not the same when you sign to fight me. It’s a completely different pressure. He felt the pressure like he’d never felt before; that’s because he was facing me… I think Jose should go back, regroup, get back in line for a No. 1 contender spot and go from there.”
For those who haven’t seen it yet, you can watch McGregor’s 13-second knockout of Aldo at UFC 194, click here. For detailed round-by-round UFC 194 results, click here.
