Rogan: Immediate Aldo rematch a hard sell
“When you hype it up for as long as you did, for two separate events, it dies off and then the first punch Conor connects with puts him out? It’s hard to sell that.”
The UFC has two mainstream stars, Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. When Rousey lost her title to Holy Holm last month, an immediate rematch was called for, regardless of how long it took. When Jose Aldo, arguably the best pound for pound fighter fighter in the sport, lost his title on Saturday, no plans for a rematch were set.
On the latest JRE, UFC color commentator Joe Rogan explains why Aldo isn’t getting an immediate title shot.
“The problem with doing a rematch with Conor McGregor and Aldo is that it would be so hard to sell when a guy gets knocked out quick,” said Rogan, as transcribed by David St. Martin for MMAFighting. “When you hype it up for as long as you did, for two separate events, it dies off and then the first punch Conor connects with puts him out? It’s hard to sell that.
“If you want to look at his lineage and history, yea, a guy who was champion for 10 years[sic], he should have a rematch.”
“I think a lot of what [the UFC] has done has been based on what compelling contenders they have for that title. Compelling contenders where you look at their style and the style of the current champion. If you wanted to make the most intriguing stylistic matchup, I think it’s Frankie Edgar. A guy who won the title at 155 pounds, beat legends in B.J. Penn, just knocked out Chad Mendes with one punch, before that beat the f— out of Cub Swanson. He’s smushed everyone they’ve put in front of him for a few years now. He’s a monster.”
Rogan also said he hopes Rousey takes considerable time off.
“Some people are mad that I said I don’t think it’s smart that Aldo fight right away,” said Rogan. “First of all, Aldo got knocked dead. When you get knocked dead like that you need a long time off. You need at least six months off. Conor McGregor could fight next Tuesday and so could Frankie Edgar.
“I think that fight would be f—ing bananas. For a fan, I’m so excited to see that fight. Frankie has a very dangerous style for a guy like Conor who was taken down repeatedly by Chad Mendes. He’s a nasty wrester. His cardio is off the chain. His footwork is fantastic. He’s got [striking coach] Mark Henry in his corner. They’re going to come up with a badass gameplan. Between Henry and [McGregor coach John Kavanagh] and a winner like Frankie and a winner like Conor … goddamn.”
