MMA
Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

McGregor: Issues galore within Nova Uniao

LAS VEGAS -- Outspoken UFC featherweight Conor McGregor has always looked at Brazilian camp Nova Uniao as nothing to fear when it comes to his title aspirations.

In addition to that now, however, he says he’s starting to see outright weakness.

McGregor (15-2) has plenty to deal with outside of Nova Uniao, as he will face highly ranked Dustin Poirier this weekend at UFC 178. The 26-year-old Irishman has never backed down from sharing his thoughts on future opponents, however.

And one potential opponent would obviously include UFC champion Jose Aldo, who will seek his seventh title defense next month against Chad Mendes at UFC 179. The UFC has already invited McGregor to attend the Brazilian event.

When asked to give his thoughts on the Aldo-Mendes fight, McGregor waffled in his pick, but said the Nova Uniao camp, which houses Aldo and former bantamweight champion Renan Barao, is perhaps not at the top of its game heading into the fight.

Aldo (24-1) was forced to postpone the title fight against Mendes in August because of a neck injury. Later that month, Barao (32-2) pulled out of a title rematch against TJ Dillashaw at UFC 177, when he fainted trying to make weight the day before.

“I like the mental side of combat sports -- of anything, really,” McGregor said. “That win over Barao with TJ Dillashaw changes the shift in things. That’s a factor. Then you’ve got the fact Barao missed weight.

“There are definitely problems in that camp. They’ve been complaining about money and then injuries back and forth. I feel a weakness in the mind frame of these people, which can go up and down sometimes, so you never know.”

McGregor went on to say Aldo still might have a mental advantage over Mendes, as a previous meeting between the two ended in a knockout win for Aldo. He made one thing about the fight abundantly clear, however.

“Ultimately, I don’t give a s---,” McGregor said. “I’ll whoop both of them.”

Aldo, 28, signed with the now-defunct WEC organization in 2008 and captured the title within 17 months -- finishing six consecutive fights in the process.

Since then, five of his eight five-round fights, all of which he has won, have gone the distance -- a statistic that has drawn some criticism from UFC president Dana White.

McGregor, as he often does, has an opinion on the matter.

“So many mixed martial artists get into this situation where they stay the same,” he said. “They get to a level and then it’s ‘maintain.’ Spar hard and stay fit, but you’re not really growing to that next level.

“You’re putting your body through hell and your skill level is remaining the same. And eventually, through battles in the gym and battles in the Octagon, it starts to take a toll, and that is what I believe has happened [to Aldo].”

McGregor said none of these observations have to do with an attempt to try and get under the Brazilian fan base -- a marketing strategy other fighters have employed.

“Brazil is a phenomenal country,” McGregor said. “I’ve always dreamed about going to Brazil. Look, I’m pinching myself every day. This is phenomenal for me, and I’m having fun along the way.

“I know I might rub people the wrong way, but I’m just a kid living my dream, so it is what it is. I’m enjoying my life.”

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