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Reigning UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. AP/Press Association Images

'Conor has been impressive but Jose is a different animal entirely'

UFC lightweight Ross Pearson explains that Conor McGregor has never experienced anything like what he’ll face on Saturday.

IT GOES WITHOUT saying that Jose Aldo (25-1) will provide Conor McGregor (18-2) with his toughest test yet, and according to UFC lightweight Ross Pearson, it’s too difficult to predict if the Irish star is capable of passing it.

Since making his UFC debut in April 2013, McGregor has bulldozed his way through the featherweight division, picking up six comprehensive victories on the trot — a run which has included defeats of top contenders such as Chad Mendes, Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier.

A seventh will see the 27-year-old Dubliner become the undisputed UFC featherweight champion this Saturday night at UFC 194 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

However, the challenge facing McGregor is to overcome the only undisputed 145lbs champion in UFC history — Jose Aldo, who hasn’t tasted defeat in over 10 years, having won his last 18 bouts in a row.

“I think Conor is just on a steamroller of confidence right now,” Pearson told The42. “He’s got incredible belief in his own ability, he believes in his power and he believes that he can finish anyone.

“He’s been really impressive but this is going to be a completely different test to anything he’s come up against before. Jose is a different animal entirely. I think Jose will be there until the very bitter end. There’s no stopping that guy. I’m expecting it to be a war.”

PA-22499105 Ross Pearson

However, Pearson is unable to pick a winner for the eagerly-anticipated bout: ”I think it will come down to how much Conor has got to give and how much Jose can take. Then we’ll see who’s left standing at the end but it’s far too difficult to say who that will be.”

McGregor and Aldo were originally scheduled to square off at UFC 189 back in July, but Aldo was forced to withdraw due to a rib injury so McGregor defeated Chad Mendes instead to win the UFC interim featherweight belt.

Pearson added: “It’s a fight that should have happened by now so I think everyone’s just looking forward to finally watching what happens at this stage. It’s a huge fight, one of the biggest in the UFC for a long, long time.”

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10 Comments
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    Mute Tom Feehan
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    Dec 8th 2015, 7:48 AM

    It didn’t take much for mendes to rattle mcgregor. Aldo within 3 rounds.

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    Mute SolvableKnave
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    Dec 8th 2015, 8:41 AM

    Remind me, who won that fight? Yes, Aldo is going to be an unbelievably tough cookie. He’s not the best pound for pound for no reason. Just have some faith in you fellow Irish man

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    Mute Shane an Fear thiar
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    Dec 8th 2015, 9:09 AM

    Mendes really pushed Aldo all the way last time they meet he rocked him twice he just didn’t have the stand up game to totally finish the job. “Aldo is a different animal ” yes he’s the champ and for good reason he is a brilliant fighter but it’s ture to say Aldo as never meet a guy like Mcgregor his movement and the power in his hand is something Aldo as not faced in this division. Mendes bossed the ring against Aldo Mcgregor will do the same.

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    Mute Tom Feehan
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    Dec 8th 2015, 9:14 AM

    Don’t get me wrong , I’ll be shouting for mcgregor all the way. It’s gonna be a good one

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    Mute Teddington
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    Dec 8th 2015, 11:08 AM

    I will be devastated if McGregor loses. I’m unashamedly a huge fan of his, I don’t approve of everything he does but he’s one of the few elite sports people that Ireland has in any field and he’s out there taking on the world and always promotes his Irishness wherever he goes. I hope to god come Sunday morning that he’s got the belt he should have fought for in the summer. Going to be an epic battle and I hope he’s fully prepared and focussed for it.

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    Mute Shane an Fear thiar
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    Dec 8th 2015, 1:21 PM

    Ya Aldo won by decision a lot would argue had that fight been the U.S mendes would have got the decision.

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    Mute Shane Mc Donnell
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    Dec 8th 2015, 8:43 AM

    I could be wrong but my prediction Is it won’t go the distance

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    Mute Gary
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    Dec 8th 2015, 11:13 AM

    Teddington, well said. Conor mentioned it last night on the Setanta Documentary that some people can’t stand to see their fellow country man succeed. There are a lot of begrudgers out there.

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    Mute blueman79
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    Dec 8th 2015, 11:51 AM

    Not begrudgers, it has nothing to do with his nationality, the man is a knob, can’t stand the way he goes on… if he was Canadian English french or Norwegian I would hate him just as munch, I hope he gets hammered

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    Mute Mark Carroll
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    Dec 8th 2015, 7:49 PM

    Why is he a knob? Hating a man you’ve probably never met might say more about you than him, but explain why you feel so strongly. Where are you from?

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