Conor McGregor KO'd Jose Aldo in 13 Seconds - (Andrius Petrucenia photo)

José Aldo - (José_Aldo_(30_de_dezembro_de_2010).jpg: Maddox * derivative work: Beastpack (talk)

SPORTS NOTES EXTRA - McGREGOR KO's ALDO in 13 SECONDS

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

To his credit Conor McGregor is backing up his loud mouth words with his fists as he set a UFC record by knocking out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds of the 1st round. His achievement broke Ronda Rousey's record of 14 seconds

Sunday, December 13, 2015

THE MOUTH THAT ROARS WINS

Leading up to what was billed as the greatest fight in UFC history the Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor extravaganza almost lived up to its billing. McGregor backed up his boasting by setting a UFC record by knocking out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds of the first round. The win earned him the title as the undisputed Featherweight champion.

The winning punch was the only one that McGregor threw but it was enough. The Irishman threw a left to Aldo's jaw just as the Brazilian was throwing a right. Both punches landed but Aldo's struck as he was on his way down to the ground unconscious.

The length of the fight disqualifies it as being the greatest fight in UFC history. Holly Holm's shocking knockout of Ronda Rousey has to rank #1 followed by Chris Weidman's knockout of Anderson Sivla.

Due to a default in Aldo's not knowing the English language there is no doubt McGregor won the battle of words with Aldo but when it comes to fighting in the cage it was his fist that was the determining factor.

This fight production had a strange twist. There were no pre-fight locker-room visits to give an insight of how the two combatants were mentally prepared for the bout.

The cloud hanging over Aldo was his cancellation of fighting McGregor which was previously scheduled for July due to an injury. In the days leading up to the fight, Aldo pulled out of the bout because of a rib injury he had sustained in training.

McGregor remained on the card and faced UFC ranked #1 contender Chad Mendes for the interim championship which he won but Mendes took the fight on only two weeks notice.

McGregor says Aldo was scared but former UFC fighter Chale Sonnen claims believed that both fighters were scared, a scenario that he has never previously witnessed. As the facts have been reveled McGregor appears to not know what fear is. Obviously fear is not a factor for him.

Aldo is two years older at 29 than McGregor, 27 and possessed the best statistics and a longer career having a career 25-1 record to McGregor's 18-2. Aldo has been unbeaten for 10 years with this last and only loss in his Lightweight debut November 2005 to Luciano Azevedo.

Since that time, Aldo abandoned competing in that weight class and returned to the Featherweight division where he has dominated ever since until he ran into McGregor's fist.

Prior to the fight it was difficult to gage the two fighter's skills. Aldo had been fighting the best competition from around the world in the UFC while McGregor was been fighting in Europe in various little known competitions. The Irishman had only six fights in the UFC coming into the Aldo contest that resulted in an undefeated UFC record.

With two losses in Europe on his record McGregor was a somewhat of a question mark. Both of his losses came in the first six years of his career between March 2008 to November 2010. His last loss was to Joseph Duffy in Cork, Ireland which left him at that time with a record of 4-2.

Comparing the quality of European MMA talent became clearer in the Ultimate Fighter 22 when McGregor competed as a coach against former UFC champ Urijah Faber. McGregor coached the European team and Faber the Americans. The Europeans fighters dominated the competition by having three of the top four competitors in the Quarterfinals.

McGregor won the war of words with Faber by repeatedly making snide remarks about Faber being ripped of by a former employee who took UFC champ T.J. Dill Shaw from him when he opened up his own gym.

Faber won the battle of humility and maturity by controlling his temper holding his reserve by avoiding being drawn into a senseless cat fight simply to bolster McGregor's bravado.

McGregor's flip from the lip personality could be a turnoff for many UFC fans but now there is no denying that he has the talent to back up his impudence with his fists and ability.

UFC boss Dana White claims that McGregor and Ronda Rousey are the super stars of the UFC. The question is…. HOW LONG WILL THAT LAST as Rousey is in decline by trying to be a film star and neglecting her MMA training and fitness?

UFC fans have witnessed how Rousey's bloom fell off her rose. McGregor, who is also in love with mugging for the camera raise the question will he overdose on it and go the way of Rousey? Will he continue to flourish or will he eventually suffer fate as Rousey and BITE THE DUST on the UFC octagon mat? Stay tuned…

ROCKHOLD DEFEATS WEIDMAN

In what was a bit of a surprise Luke Rockhold defeated Chris Weidman to take the Middleweight title. Rockhold went the way of ground and pound and battered and bloodied Weidman's face and the fight was stopped to earn him the victory.

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