Will Jose Aldo Defeat Conor McGregor? Here's What Chad Mendes Thinks!

Heading into UFC 194, the world will finally see how Connor McGregor can match up to Jose Aldo.

UFC 194 is set for December 12, a colorful and storied clash that would have happened in UFC 189 last July 11 had Aldo not been forced to pull out due to a rib injury sustained in training.

McGregor would not be left without an opponent at that time. In place of Aldo, Chad Mendes was chosen. Despite short notice which saw Mendes have only three weeks to prepare, Mendes jumped at the opportunity to face McGregor.

Come fight night, Mendes did make a good account of himself. But after Mendes failed to lock on a guillotine hold, the opening was all McGregor needed over an ill-prepared Mendes who tried to ground the Irishman as much as he can from the opening bell.

Mendes is of course looking to redeem himself against McGregor though all that will have to wait. Heading into UFC 194, Mendes believes that McGregor will fall short against Aldo. Mendes has faced Aldo as well before and knows what he is capable of. Comparing the two, he believes that Aldo is the more powerful of the two.

Against McGregor, Mendes tried to ground McGregor as much as possible. But in Aldo’s case, he expects a fierce exchange with both fighters known for to use kicks and punches among their repertoire.

Of the two, he feels that Aldo kicks harder and is faster than McGregor. While McGregor keeps his distance from opponents, Mendes puts into question the durability of McGregor heading into the fight.

If Mendes was referring to his fight with McGregor, there is one thing that he may have forgotten to consider. This was the claim of McGregor’s camp that Connor fought with a questionable knee.

It was a reason why McGregor’s training kept media off, a move to try and conceal the injury. The Irishman of course shook off the cobwebs and passed with flying colors, en route to that win.

Could that happen again?

With the ample time to heal for both fighters and barring any further injuries, the tiff should be something to watch. Both have a simmering rivalry that includes McGregor snatching the title from Aldo and holding it above his head in Dublin last March 31.

"I just see Aldo winning that fight," he said in an interview from Fox Sports. "I think he's got too much power, too much speed, too much athleticism. I think Aldo could go out there and take him down and just beat him on top every round