UFC superstar Conor McGregor caused some controversy when the fighter struck a commissioner in the face at Bellator 187. “Notorious” struck the commissioner, but also had an altercation with referee Marc Goddard after invading the cage.
McGregor was cage side for the event in support of SBG Ireland teammate Charlie Ward. After Ward dropped his opponent in the first round, “Notorious” rushed the cage. Since the incident, fighters and fight fans have been voicing their thoughts. Now former UFC featherweight champion and former opponent to McGregor, Jose Aldo can be counted among them.
Speaking with reporters at a media day at his home gym in Brazil, Aldo explained that he has yet to see footage of the incident. Still, Aldo does not condemn “Notorious” for his actions.
“I haven’t seen the video, but I heard about it.” Jose Aldo said to reporters earlier. “I think it’s normal. He’s an emotional guy, and when an Irishman is fighting the Irish people embrace them a lot. I don’t condemn him.
“He didn’t do that for attention, he’s done that before. When we did The Ultimate Fighter, an athlete from his team won and he went up there and in there, he even tore his pants. He’s really emotional, and I don’t condemn him for what he’s done.”
Aldo then revealed that he has done something similar in the past.
“How many times have I invaded the Shooto (cage) when someone close to me is fighting? I really go there. The referee talks to me, but I still do it. I think it’s the heat of the moment, but there are bigger things than just the rules.”
