UFC interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor said he does not care if featherweight champion Jose Aldo would not show up in their unification title bout at UFC 194 next month.

McGregor and Aldo were set to square off at UFC 189 last July, but a rib injury forced the latter to withdraw from the event, forcing the Irish fighter to face Chad Mendes. “The Notorious” defeated Mendes via 2nd round TKO and accused Aldo of running scared in the event’s post-fight interview. But in their title fight slated on Dec. 12, McGregor stated he will be ready whether Aldo shows up in the fight are not.

“Who cares if he's there or not, I'll be there,” McGregor told Severe MMA. “I hope he's there, but I don't know."

Aldo has been taking precautionary measures to prevent another injury that may force him to withdraw again from the most hyped pay-per-view of the year. According to SB Nation’s Bloody Elbow, UFC chief Lorenzo Fertitta has bought “Scarface” a protective vest to prevent the same fate the latter suffered prior to UFC 189.

“It’s a shirt that quarterbacks use to protect the ribs, so I’m using it in training,” Aldo told Vice’s Fightland. “After that spinning back kick, the most expensive spinning back kick in history, we’re more protected now. You can hit me because there’s wood there to protect me so I won’t get hurt.”

Aldo also revealed that he is more focused and well prepared ahead of his match against McGregor, who claimed he has put himself in an “intense training camp.”

UFC 194 will also feature another title match in the co-main event between middleweight champion Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES