Jose Aldo: Conor McGregor’s Name Being Brought Up Is ‘Disrespectful’

The reigning featherweight champion is not buying the Conor McGregor hype. In fact, he finds all the talk of him facing the Irishman next, when he still has an upcoming fight later in the month against Chad Mendes, disrespectful.

"I'm really focused on Chad Mendes right now and I do think it's a little bit disrespectful," Aldo said per FOX Sports. "This fight hasn't even happened. There's nothing set yet. I do need to keep my feet on the ground and keep focused on Chad Mendes and not think of anyone else."

UFC President Dana White was quoted as saying that McGregor is next in line to fight Aldo as the Brazilian succeeds in his title defence against Mendes in his hometown. For now, both Aldo and Mendes are brushing aside all the talks about McGregor and are focused to bring the best bout to the fans on Oct. 25. Mendes, for his part, also believes all the talks of McGregor-Aldo is premature given the projects that he can snatch the title from the 28-year-old striker. Mendes also relayed that the UFC may not prefer to pit him against "The Notorious" because of their different fighting styles.

"The guy has been talking so much crap. The guy has got a huge hype train behind him. It's going to feel good to get in there and just dismantle this dude," Mendes said giving his two cents on the hype.

McGregor is being thrust to the spotlight after his controversial first round knockout win over Dustin Poirier in just 106 seconds. The trash-talking Irishman is adamant to take the big stage again and is even willing to go up in weight and rumble with Mexican fighter Diego Sanchez at 155 lbs. White shot down the McGregor suggestion and has offered the Aldo potential match instead, provided the champion keeps his belt in two weeks.

The Irishman, expectedly, has run off some words about his featherweight rivals, calling Mendes challenged in the height department and a "small bodybuilder stuck in a 145 division." He added that he would definitely maul Mendes if their paths cross in the Octagon. As for the reigning champion, McGregor feels that Aldo has gotten to a level of complacency and is on a downward spiral. Aldo retaliated by saying that he is taking the high ground and focusing on the next match and finds it hard to focus with all the McGregor talks swirling all around.