MMA
Jose Aldo shares advice for Conor McGregor after ‘sad’ knee injury
Published
8 hours agoon
Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor have a cordial relationship a decade after being the center of one of UFC's all-time greatest rivalries during the mid-2010's, and the Brazilian has a piece of advice for “The Notorious†if he plans on returning to the octagon in 2027.
McGregor finally re-entered the cage in July to rematch Max Holloway after a five-year layoff but suffered a knee injury seconds into their clash after attempting a jumping kick. McGregor said he was “confident†after undergoing knee surgery in August, and Aldo would suggest not coming back as a welterweight.
“Yeah, I think first he needs to go through some dietary re-education to see if he can get back down and be lighter again,†Aldo told MMA Fighting. “I think, in my opinion, he has the frame for 155, so it would be good. And I'll tell you this: today, if Conor fights at 155 and beats a name [that isn't necessarily at the top], the division is wide open again. To me, the division has kind of stalled there. Ilia [Topuria] moved up and lost to [Justin] Gaethje, so it's a bit of a mess there, and anyone can come in and snatch the title.â€
McGregor became the undisputed featherweight champion when he knocked out Aldo in December 2015, and that was his final fight at 145 pounds. The Irishman jumped around between 155 and 170 pounds since then, winning the UFC lightweight belt in the process, and even hinted at fighting at middleweight one day.
Prior to the injury, McGregor's coach John Kavanagh said that “170 is a comfortable cut for him now and he's got the frame for it,†and it would require “something really big†to make sense to once again cut extra 15 pounds for a UFC fight.
“His frame has also gotten much bigger, he's gained a lot of weight and muscle mass, so we don't know what he's going to be like when he comes back,†Aldo said. “But I always hope for the best, so I hope that tomorrow he's doing well physically and psychologically, too, and that he can return to the UFC and have great fights again.â€
Aldo has history with both Holloway and McGregor, fighting them in three UFC title fights at featherweight, and was disappointed to see their highly anticipated rematch end that way.
“Regardless of the outcome back when we fought, I always root for everyone to be able to fight, come back, and do their job,†Aldo said. “It's sad because of the injury. Everyone waited for him to come back, and then he comes back, you have that fight week, everyone is excited, millions and millions of people [tuning in], and then when the time comes, that happens. It's sad. I think it could have been a great fight, him and Max, but he got injured. It's sad, you know? I hope he can come back, recover, and return to the octagon.
“We don't know if he'll come back in his prime, if he'll come back at a high level, considering how much time he's been away. I think he was out for two years, or four, I don't remember, and then he came back, got injured, and now he's going to be out for even more time.â€
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MMA
MVP fires back at Heather Hardys $10M lawsuit over Amanda Serrano fight
Published
3 hours agoon
September 29, 2026
Most Valuable Promotions has responded to a lawsuit filed by
former world champion Heather
Hardy over her 2023 rematch with Amanda
Serrano.
Hardy is seeking $10 million in damages from MVP, alleging in her
complaint that the promotion moved forward with the bout despite
concerns about the risks involved. Hardy alleges that she suffered
permanent neurological damage from the fight, which took place in
August 2023 on the Jake
Paul-Nate Diaz
card.
Most Valuable Promotions cites Hardy’s medical clearance and
commission oversight in response to the lawsuit
According to Hardy's complaint, the fight presented an
“extraordinary and foreseeable risk of serious neurological harm.â€
She also alleges that the bout contributed to lasting issues,
including traumatic brain injury, memory loss and double
vision.
MVP disputed the allegations in a statement issued in response to
the lawsuit, emphasizing Hardy's medical clearance and the
commission's oversight of the contest.
“MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy. We recognize the
difficulty of her circumstances and extend our sincere sympathy and
hope that she receives the care and support she deserves,†MVP
responded (via ESPN). “Heather's participation on our Aug. 5,
2023, card was arranged through her promoter, Lou DiBella, who
contracted for the fight, and Heather publicly expressed her
gratitude for the opportunity both before and after the fight.â€
“MVP followed applicable protocols for the fight, Heather was
medically cleared to compete by the athletic commission overseeing
the event, and the bout proceeded under the commission's authority
and supervision in accordance with their standard medical and
safety requirements,†the statement added. “MVP remains committed
to fighter safety and supporting the athletes who compete in our
events in full compliance with commission standards.â€
MMA
UFC 332 Odds: Payton Talbott a massive favorite over former champion
Published
5 hours agoon
September 29, 2026
MMA
UFC 332 fight card adds undefeated welterweight on short notice
Published
7 hours agoon
September 29, 2026
Jacobe Smith looks to stay unbeaten with his late addition to UFC 332.
On Monday, the promotion officially announced that Smith (12-0) is set to fight newcomer Bruce Whitehead (8-2) in a welterweight bout this Saturday at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City. The bout was first reported by MMA Mania, coming together just nine days out from the event.
Smith earned a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2024 and has continued to impress, going 3-0 in the octagon with none of his fights going to the scorecards. He has won nine of his 12 pro bouts via knockout, most recently scoring a first-round KO over Josiah Harrell at UFC Houston this past February.
Whitehead has spent his entire pro career competing for Texas' Fury FC promotion. He is currently on a two-fight win streak, having won four of his past five fights, and makes a quick turnaround after scoring a 48-second TKO over Ali Abouzalam on Sept. 20.
UFC 332 is headlined by a vacant flyweight title fight between Natalia Silva and Wang Cong.
MVP fires back at Heather Hardys $10M lawsuit over Amanda Serrano fight
UFC 332 Odds: Payton Talbott a massive favorite over former champion
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