Aldo: McGregor 'has to lose' against Diaz so I can get rematch at Madison Square Garden

It appears that for the first time in a long time - if ever - Jose Aldo is fired up for a fight outside of his own gym. 'Scarface', who has admitted to watching soccer and other sports when MMA is usually broadcast, will be keeping a keen eye on the welterweight rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor at UFC 202.

The Brazilian says his arch rival McGregor must lose, so he can get vengeance on the Irishman at Madison Square Garden in New York.

"If he loses (to Diaz), it's highly likely that they put us to fight on November 12, at Madison Square Garden. The Irish community is big over there," Aldo said at a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro, per Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. "But if he wins, I think they will do a third fight between them and ruin all my plans."

"He has to lose. Otherwise, they will do a third fight," Aldo said. "I'm rooting for him to lose, of course. If he wins, they will do another rematch with Nate, and that's bad. He has to lose. He has to lose. He will lose."

After a media world tour and almost a full year of trash talk, Aldo fought 'The Notorious' at UFC 194 in a bout billed as 2015's biggest fight. Many expected a technical striking battle between the two featherweights, but McGregor shocked the world when he knocked out the Brazilian just thirteen seconds into the opening round, earning the fastest KO in UFC championship history.

For Aldo, it was devastating; a knockout loss in the biggest fight of his career on the biggest stage. But, as resilient as ever, the former champion rebounded with a win over Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 to seize the interim 145-pound title.

McGregor has suggested a trilogy fight with Diaz if he avenges the loss, despite UFC president Dana White claiming that he'll return to featherweight to defend his title. If the SBG Ireland product gets his way again, Aldo says he's 'f----d'.

"Then I'm f---ed," Aldo said he McGregor never coming back to featherweight. "But I really hope it happens. If it's a fight against Holloway, I don't see any problem. This event in New York will make history. I really hope I'm at this card because I want to be part of history."

UFC 205, which is set to mark the promotion's debut in New York following the lifted ban last year, is being targeted for November 12th at MSG. Diaz vs. McGregor II, which headlines UFC 202, takes place next month, August 20, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.