Chad Mendes (pictured) gets his shot against Conor McGregor at UFC 189.
Chad Mendes (pictured) gets his shot against Conor McGregor at UFC 189.

It’s official. Jose Aldo has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled featherweight title defense against Conor McGregor at UFC 189. Number two ranked Chad Mendes will fill in against McGregor for the interim featherweight title on July 11th in Las Vegas.

UFC President Dana White made the announcement on ESPN’s SportsCenter this evening.

Aldo’s coach notified the UFC that his rib is too painful and will not be able to compete. White made the point that because Aldo has pulled out of fights several times in the past they are therefore implementing the interim title.

McGregor accompanied White during the announcement and said he believes Aldo was looking for a way out and that he was already mentally beaten. White was not happy about Aldo’s withdrawal and spoke about how much money they had spent promoting the fight.

McGregor had predicted a knockout of Aldo in four minutes of the first round. He said Mendes is pretty similar to Aldo and believes he will also finish him four minutes into the first round and it will only take that long because he’s going to toy with him first.

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