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Fighters and fans alike have been captivated by the escalating rivalry brewing between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor on the UFC's sweeping world tour. Kenny Florian, Daniel Cormier, Chad Mendes and recently Royce Gracie have had their say on the most anticipated featherweight bout in UFC history and now it's Georges St-Pierre's turn to chime in. The welterweight ambassador was recently featured as a guest on Chael Sonnen's 'You're Welcome' podcast - here's what the former champ had to say:
"Conor McGregor, he could be smart or very dumb. But I think Conor McGregor is very skilled. He can back [up] what he says. I think Conor McGregor is trying to play that game, trying to get into his head. Maybe it's going to work, maybe it's not. We'll see what's going to happen", Georges said to Sonnen.
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The end result of UFC 189's main event will determine whether McGregor played his cards right in the lead up to the fight or not.The Irishman's antagonizing antics could very well be a calculated strategy to get Jose Aldo to over exert himself in training and the Octagon. McGregor has made a habit of charging up his opponents mentally and emotionally during the pre-fight propaganda to lure them into over committing on fight night. While 'The Notorious' plays to the camera and his opponent with an animated persona in the weeks leading up to the fight, the Dubliner enters the Octagon eerily composed and relaxed.
Georges also examined Aldo's mixed martial arts craft:
"Jose Aldo... he's a very flamboyant fighter, he's very dangerous, he has that aura of invincibility around him. He's like the best pound-for-pound [fighter] in the world right now, that's what I believe", St-Pierre explained to Chael.
While Aldo is certainly one of the finest champions in the sport, the featherweight kingpin hasn't quite looked invincible in the Octagon. Aldo is coming off a five round frenzy with top contender Chad Mendes at UFC 179 which saw the champ claim a closely contested decision win. The Brazilian also struggled with Frankie Edgar in another back-and-forth 25-minute scrap at UFC 156.
Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor are set to collide on July 11 for UFC 189.
(Transcripts via the42.ie)
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