Long wait finally over for Aldo-McGregor UFC title fight
After taking out some of the best middleweights of all time in his four Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title fights, Chris Weidman will defend the belt against perhaps the most well-rounded opponent of his career in Luke Rockhold on the UFC 194 card tonight at the MGM Grand Garden.
Yet there's almost no buzz for what figures to be an outstanding fight.
Weidman and Rockhold know the anticipation for their title fight pales in comparison to the hype around a main event that is a year in the making.
"It's going to be one of the biggest fights of all time, so of course," Weidman said of the featherweight title unification bout between champion Jose Aldo and interim champ Conor McGregor.
Both fighters tipped the scales at exactly 145 pounds Friday, finally making one of the most promoted fights in UFC history official.
A moment of tension that briefly looked like it may escalate was quickly defused, as Aldo and McGregor faced off for what was the 10th time in 2015.
The longtime Brazilian champion and popular, brash Irish striker embarked on a world tour to promote a bout that was originally scheduled for July in Las Vegas. After a slew of appearances and news conferences that included several heated exchanges, Aldo was forced to pull out of the fight two weeks out because of a rib injury.
McGregor beat late replacement Chad Mendes for the interim belt and immediately went on the offensive to attack Aldo for pulling out of the fight.
McGregor has had the platform to stay in the public eye, as he coached a season of "The Ultimate Fighter" that finished airing this week and took full advantage of building his own brand and taking as many shots as possible at Aldo.
Now the talking is over and the fight finally will happen. McGregor still believes Aldo doesn't want to be a part of what is expected to be one of the biggest UFC events of all time, at the gate and on pay per view.
"He feels like he's handcuffed. He's handcuffed and forced to be here," McGregor said of what he sees in Aldo's eyes. "He doesn't want to be here. He's forced. I feel the man is forced to be here. He's confused, he doesn't know what's going on or what to do. He's just kind of waiting for it to be over. That's what I saw when I looked at him."
It's typical McGregor rhetoric, which along with his flashy striking and knockout power is why he has quickly become one of the most popular fighters in the sport's history. A massive Irish contingent made up a large portion of the more than 9,000 fans who turned out for the over-capacity weigh-ins Friday.
Former UFC star Chael Sonnen, who was famous for a somewhat similar shtick, said it takes a special person to put themselves out there in that manner.
"It's why so many guys are afraid to step out of that box. You do put a lot of pressure on yourself," he said. "With great risk comes great reward, and he's been rewarded very well. He chose the right path. But there's something to that if you choose to put yourself out there and lose, it comes back at you."
Aldo has almost always stayed above the fray when it comes to trash-talking.
He has mostly just been along for the ride other than a few angry reactions to McGregor quips and stunts, is fully healthy and ready to continue an unbeaten streak that spans more than a decade.
"On the feet, I'll knock him out. On the ground, I'll submit him," Aldo said. "Wherever this fight goes, that's where I'll end it."
UFC president Dana White said he expects all the months of tension to explode in fireworks right from the opening bell.
"I was in Ireland five weeks ago, and Conor told me, 'I'm going to run across the octagon, unload on him and hit him with bombs, and I'll knock him out in the first four minutes of this fight. I believe that's what Conor will do. He will run across the octagon and do that," White said. "When he gets there, he will meet the only 145-pound champion ever, the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world and a guy who hasn't lost in 10 years, and he will respond. When he does, I think we're going to have Hagler-Hearns, man. I think it's going to be total, absolute violence."
It will have to be good to follow the co-main event.
Weidman took the belt from long-reigning champ Anderson Silva, then solidified his hold on it with a win in the rematch. He then disposed of former champions Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort to set up the bout with Rockhold, the former Strikeforce champ who has won four straight since losing his UFC debut to Belfort.
Perhaps because of the lack of attention on his fight, Weidman has been incredibly calm and relaxed all week.
He says it's more a matter of getting more comfortable in the spotlight.
"The only time I wasn't relaxed and I had to fake it was the first title fight. It was the first time I was on any pay per view, let alone headlining it against Anderson Silva," Weidman said. "So I just had to pretend I was calm, even though I was going crazy. After that, I gained experience. I just got used to being here and doing the media and all that other stuff, and now I know everything to expect."
He insists he won't be looking to make a point about being overlooked when he steps into the cage.
"I have something to prove to myself but nobody else," he said. "I work hard, and I just want to show my true potential and show myself how good I am."
The title fights are part of a pay-per-view card that begins at 7 p.m. Four preliminary card bouts will air on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 5.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
