UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is usually cool, calm, and collected during interviews, press conferences, and the rest of his obligations prior to his title fights.
That is why is was so shocking to see Aldo push No. 1 contender Chad Mendes yesterday during the UFC 179 media day in Brazil. If you have yet to see the push, check it out in the video below:
A day after the incident Aldo has come clean and admitted to the Brazilian media that he only shoved Mendes in order to further promote and hype his fight with Chad at UFC 179.
“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 told Esporte. “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, although an incredible fighter and champion, does not have a massive following that some would believe. He lacks the gift of gab that help the most notorious fighters accrue large fan bases well into the casual masses. Considering the unbelievable hype surrounding the Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier bout after their media day brawl, it makes sense that Aldo would attempt to hype his fight as well.
Although Aldo said it was out of character to push Mendes, he did not regret his actions because it hyped his fight.
“I’ve never pushed anyone during a staredown before,” Aldo continued. “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.”
Do you think it is strange Aldo admitted that the shove was intended to hype his fight, or is it a smart tactic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
[h/t MMAFighting]
