The main event at UFC 189 is in jeopardy.
Reports are surfacing that Jose Aldo has suffered an injury in training. The featherweight champion has reportedly fractured his rib in during his camp for his upcoming grudge match against Conor McGregor.
No news yet as to whether this means the headline bout with the Notorious is off, however if the reports are true, it is unlikely that he will recover in time for the event on July 11th.
Combate correspondent Ana Hissa broke the news on Twitter:
Yesterday that was a rumor that aldo was injured. Not true. The injury happened today, tuesday morning, during sparring session
— Ana Hissa (@AnaHissa) June 23, 2015
Aldo injured during sparring session, exams confirm fractured rib
— Ana Hissa (@AnaHissa) June 23, 2015
The UFC have yet to speak on the situation, but we’ll make sure to keep you updated as the story progresses.
UPDATE: According to Brazilian site Combate, one of Aldo’s teammates caused the injury with slipped while attempting a kick during “sparring”, and hit the champion rib. Aldo reportedly left the session in tears and with shortness of breath.
ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto has said that Conor McGregor is unaware of any injury to the champion and still thinks the fight is on.
Source close to the situation tells me Conor, FWIW, has not been informed of any change at UFC 189. Fight's on as far as he's concerned.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) June 23, 2015
According to reporter Ariel Helwani, Aldo is injured but has not pulled out of the fight.
Here's the facts: Aldo did get hurt (first reported by @anahissa), he has also not pulled out of the fight. As of right now, it's still on.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 23, 2015
Dana White has since toyed with our emotions with an incredibly vague tweet.
Relax everyone
— danawhite (@danawhite) June 23, 2015
SBG head coach John Kavanagh seems to think that Aldo may have pulled out of the fight, judging by this tweet.
— Coach JK (@John_Kavanagh) June 23, 2015
