Report: Jose Aldo injured; UFC 189 bout with McGregor in jeopardy

Ana Hissa of Combate reported and sources close to the situation confirmed the news to MMA Fighting that Jose Aldo has suffered a rib injury in training and that his UFC world featherweight title fight with Irish star Conor McGregor is in jeopardy.

Aldo injured during sparring session, exams confirm fractured rib

— Ana Hissa (@AnaHissa) June 23, 2015

The bout is due to take place on July 11th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and is set to headline the event for the UFC’s annual International fight week.

Aldo is the only ever UFC featherweight champion and is unbeaten in almost 10 years. The champion has beaten star names like Frankie Edgar, Kenny Florian and Chad Mendes in his time stateside but has also had his fair share of injuries which have forced him to pull out of fights in the past; the most recent of which saw the aforementioned Mendes fight moved back months following an injury to the champion.

Here's the facts: Aldo did get hurt (first reported by @anahissa), he has also not pulled out of the fight. As of right now, it's still on.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 23, 2015

For McGregor, it would be a bitter blow to take. A former two-weight Cage Warriors champion, the SBG Ireland man has been unflappable in his UFC career to date winning all five of his Octagon outing with consummate ease. Victories over Max Holloway, Dennis Siver and Dustin Poirier, combined with his illuminating personality, have put his right to the top of the division and made him one of the biggest stars in the sport.

UFC president Dana White responded to the reports via his twitter

Relax everyone

— danawhite (@danawhite) June 23, 2015

Although it would be a huge blow for those travelling to Vegas, UFC 189 is still a stacked card from top to bottom with Irish interest coming from Team Ryano’s Neil Serry  while the world welterweight title will also be on the line on the night as Rory MacDonald challenges champion Robbie Lawler.

It seems more likely that UFC would want to reschedule the bout for a later date but if McGregor was to stay on the card without Aldo then Joseph Duffy has said that he would step in.

If Jose is out I'm willing to step in and beat @TheNotoriousMMA again!! @ufc @danawhite

— Joe Duffy (@Duffy_MMA) June 23, 2015