https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j-GAYzVGfs
Dana White announced on ESPN's Sportscenter in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Irish time, that Jose Aldo had pulled out of UFC 189 due to a rib injury sustained during training last week.
Conor McGregor will instead fight Chad Mendes for the interim featherweight belt.
The UFC president certainly appeared unhappy regarding the news, evening mentioning that this is the fifth title fight from which Aldo has withdrawn.
It's his decision. I don't feel great about it. We've spent a lot of money promoting the fight. A lot of people excited about the fight.
It's definitely disappointing.
McGregor said that Aldo's withdrawal came down to one factor, the Brazilian was 'scared for his life'.
If a man is scared for his life, we cannot force him to step inside and face me.
I feel he is afraid. The doctors have cleared him to fight. It's a bruise but he has still pulled out.
Rightfully so the belt should be taken from him and we will contest for the interim belt.
Or in my opinion the real belt.
I just feel he was beaten mentally before I beat him physically.
I felt throughout the world tour that he was looking for a way out and thankfully for him, his coach, his team - they have found their way out.
Regarding his new opponent, McGregor did not change his prediction for the UFC 189 headliner.
He maintained that he would be victorious within four minutes of the opening round.
He also said concerning Mendes:
I'm going to demolish him. I'm going to rip his head off.
