Honesty is becoming rarer and rarer in MMA, given the recent performing-enhancing drug scandals that have plagued the sport. In that regard, Jose Aldo’s recent honesty is a refreshing change from the norm.
The featherweight champion doesn’t traditionally fare well in terms of buys for PPVs that he headlines.
As a result, the Nova Uniao fighter said he wanted to try something different during his media day press conference with Chad Mendes on Tuesday. Aldo uncharacteristically shoved his UFC 177 opponent and now admits this wasn’t a spontaneous move.
Speaking to the local media during a media day in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, Aldo explained that the push was just meant to promote the fight.
“We were talking to Andre (Pederneiras) in a meeting about how we could improve our fight promotions. It’s part of the show. But I told Andre after (the staredown) that it’s not my style,” Aldo said. “It was not staged, we were talking (trash) to each other and it happened. … We (Aldo and Pederneiras) tried to spice things up, but that’s it.”
Aldo said he would never behave in the same fashion again.
“I’ve never pushed anyone during a staredown before,” he said. “I should behave better. I’m not saying I regret it. We did it, it was good. There was a good thing about it that people are now talking about it, but it’s not who I am. It won’t happen again.”
Aldo and Mendes are set to headline the UFC 179 pay-per-view fight card in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Oct. 25.
