Dana White believes Aldo intended to push Mendes at media day, says things get ‘mixed up in translation’

Earlier this week, featherweight champion Jose Aldo and top contender Chad Mendes attempted their own Jones/Cormier-esque moment at their UFC 179 media day event when the two exchanged words before Aldo shoved Mendes.

While hardly any were as convinced by the incident as they were with the Jones/Cormier spectacle, Aldo later explained that he was simply trying to add some much needed intensity and promotion to the fight.

"We were talking to Andre (Pederneiras) in a meeting about how we could improve our fight promotions," Aldo said. "It's part of the show. But I told Andre after (the staredown) that it's not my style," Aldo said. "It was not staged, we were talking (trash) to each other and it happened. ... We (Aldo and Pederneiras) tried to spice things up, but that's it.

"I've never pushed anyone during a staredown before," he added. "I should behave better. I'm not saying I regret it. We did it, it was good. There was a good thing about it that people are now talking about it, but it's not who I am. It won't happen again."

As expected, Dana White had his own explanation for what took place at the media day event, as well as whether Aldo was faking or not.

"So the Aldo-Mendes thing, this has happened before, Aldo said, ‘that's not what I said.' He said he didn't fake it, the push was real," White said on The Download. "But every time they say something in Portuguese and it gets translated into English - I got a call that [Renan] Barao had come out and said he wasn't being paid enough money. So we called him, and he told me he never said that - it gets mixed up in translation."

Although the UFC President did admit that Aldo was trying a little harder than usual to promote the fight, he advised against it in the future, referencing a handful of fighters capable of pulling the act off.

"I think that guys just shouldn't try," White said. "Chael had it. Conor McGregor has it. This guy can fight and talk. I think some of the guys that can't talk as well as others think they have to talk more. No you don't. You need to be a great fighter. As long as you're a great fighter, nobody gives a s**t about that other stuff. Yes, some guys may stand out a little more, but if you have the talent you're going to get where you want to go anyway."