“I wonder if it is a financial play…” Conor McGregor ponders reason behind rival Jose Aldo’s sudden return to UFC

Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo have had a rivalry for the ages.

“I wonder if it is a financial play…” Conor McGregor ponders reason behind rival Jose Aldo’s sudden return to UFC

Conor McGregor projects on Jose Aldo having similar contractual reentry troubles as him (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

Years on the shelf after his injury, Conor McGregor‘s supposed return has garnered much angst in the MMA community. The fighter has voiced similar angst and deliberate desperation to wear off his ring rust. He discussed many things with The MMA Hour‘s Ariel Helwani. Similarly, another name that received a UFC return date is his old rival, Jose Aldo.

Aldo’s career took a major bump on losing his featherweight hardware to Conor McGregor at UFC 194. Contrarily, ‘The Notorious’ became a 2-division champ but lost all his momentum. Hall of Famer Jose Aldo’s return to action at UFC 301 in Brazil has piqued fan interest. McGregor had a conspiracy theory in mind regarding Aldo’s return. This is what he said:

Look at Aldo now, really happy to see Jose back....I was actually taken back that he did retire, when he retired. He was in contention! He was in title contention from where I was looking...I wonder if it is a financial play...that didn't [lay out for him. I wonder if he was pressing for something more and they [UFC] didn't let him.
Conor McGregor via The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani

In the segment, McGregor prompted on only two fights left in his current contract run ahead of a return. UFC listings have McGregor’s bouts as the top 10 PPV buyouts, making him the consensus PPV king of the promotion. Dana White has reiterated and defended the delay in his return stating the Irishman’s riches as an obstacle.

White advocates McGregor is already rich and does not depend on his UFC contract to make a living. Hence, White wants McGregor to commit to a training camp before announcing UFC return. Now, McGregor thought Jose Aldo might have had a similar pickle for his return. Unwilling to fight in other MMA promotions, the Brazilian reverted to pro-boxing before as well.

The hostility and build-up between Jose Aldo and rival Conor McGregor is something no other rivals can replicate. So much so that, as of late, Spaniard Ilia Topuria has instigated a similar hype by mimicking McGregor’s belt-stealing move from Aldo.

Jose Aldo was one of the most dominating forces in the 145-pound weight class. Holding tenure for 1848 days, he defeated Mike Brown at WEC 44 in 2009 to bag the WEC featherweight gold. Thus becoming one of the most long-reigning UFC champion staples. He lost it out to McGregor at UFC 194, which paved the way for the latter’s success.

Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor through the years
Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor through the years (Source: Twitter)

He consequently went 3-3 as a 135lber before calling it quits. Over the years, they have had quite the hype around them. From name-calling to blame for ducking, they have done it all. Here’s how they have progressed after their clash:

After the biggest knockdown grudge match skids in history, Aldo fought Jeremy Stephens to a draw at the Gamebred Boxing 4 event in Milwaukee. But he wasn’t up for what McGregor was selling.

Aldo has initially fired back with a hostile tirade at his old rival. However, at MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, he apologized and offered to train with McGregor. Time and again, the Hall of Famer has instigated that he and the rival maintain an amiable friendship.

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