Morning Report: Dana White says Jose Aldo ‘probably would have made close to four million’ at UFC 189

As if featherweight champion Jose Aldo couldn’t feel any lower, apparently his absence at UFC 189 has only added to the appeal.

At least that’s the line UFC president Dana White is going with.

According to White, the event headlined by contenders Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes has pushed its gate at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to a company U.S. record.

“It’s at $7.1 [million], it’s the biggest gate ever in the United States and not only did it not lose interest, it almost sort of gained more interest, as crazy as that sounds,” White said during an appearance on the The Rusillo Show (via MMAMania).

So while White, McGregor and Mendes stand to make out fairly well, Rusillo asked how much the champ stood to lose out on due to his injured rib.

“Millions of dollars,” White said. “Yeah, he probably would’ve made close to four million.”

A week after news leaked out of Brazil that the champ had suffered a rib injury, White announced Aldo was being replaced by Mendes to compete for the interim title.

White says Aldo’s head coach Andre Pederneiras even sent him footage of the kick that cost his fighter millions.

“It’s crazy because I actually saw the video,” said White. “He gets hit with a spinning-heel kick, which is crazy in itself that anyone is even throwing that at him two weeks before his fight. It is what it is. He stood to make a lot of money, a lot of money. If he could’ve fought, he would’ve fought.”

McGregor faces Mendes for the interim featherweight title July 11 at UFC 189 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Gamblin’ man. Dana White says Conor McGregor offered to bet him $3 million he’d knock out Chad Mendes in the second round.

‘The reality of the situation.’ Chael Sonnen says he believes Conor McGregor’s media obligations have ‘crossed the line of being too much.’

Here we go. USADA’s IV ban could make Cris Cyborg dropping to 135 pounds a ‘problem.’

Big business. Dana White says UFC 189 passed the U.S. gate record following the McGregor-Mendes announcement.

The purge. Ryan Jimmo and Hatsu Hioki are among 14 fighters cut from the UFC earlier this week.

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

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UFC 189 embedded episode 6.

Star-divide

Pros pick Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald II.

Star-divide

Brendan Schaub picking Chad Mendes to TKO Conor McGregor.

Star-divide

Cris Cyborg says she hopes Bethe Correia kicks Ronda Rousey’s ass.

Star-divide

At least we know CM Punk can do crossfit.

Star-divide

Free Fight: Shogun Rua vs Chuck Liddell

Star-divide

Long watches.

Fight Night Chicago Free Fight: T.J. Dillashaw vs Renan Barao

“Monsoon Season” – Documentary on Lorenz Larkin from UFC Fight Night 70

Star-divide

TWEETS

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Respect.

“José Aldo , when we compete , we compete . But you always have my respect . Conor McGregor respects nothing . I will have the support of their fans at UFC 189 ?”

.@josealdojunior quando competimos, competimos. Mas voce sempre tem meu respeito. @thenotoriusmma nao … http://t.co/nKV9qfqECb

— chad mendes (@chadmendes) July 7, 2015

The respect is mutual and I’m looking forward to fight u Again, because I know you’ll beat the Joker up! U can count on my fans!@chadmendes!

— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) July 8, 2015

Star-divide

Buddies.

BJ insisted @matthughes9x induct him into UFC HoF. The greatest bro-mance in MMA LIVE on @UFCFightPass 11am Saturday. pic.twitter.com/cc9ZsH8q4I

— Ant Evans (@AntEvansUFC) July 8, 2015

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Get well soon.

Today I had the post op apointment with Dr. Shin. Im very happy that we got the cast off a… http://t.co/OVi0u2TzPr pic.twitter.com/2jlClbpiRK

Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) July 7, 2015

Still in love with the grind!!! Ready to make the climb back to the top…. #limitless #reebokhttps://t.co/9YBRybMtGf

Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) July 8, 2015

Re: busted ribs, Doo Ho Choi was supposed to fight Sam Sicilia on 7/15, but that’s not happening anymore. Pic: pic.twitter.com/2IQiH9WG2b

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 7, 2015

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Sure.

Yes or No? @danawhite make it happen pic.twitter.com/4HXFV8NERp

Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) July 7, 2015

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Still got it.

I couldn’t come to Thailand without doing some Muay Thai- thanks to Master Toddy & Arjan Sing for a great workout. https://t.co/kbjtGhZCTg

Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) July 7, 2015

Star-divide

Beef.

@GilbertDurinho @NateDiaz209 @GilbertMelendez lol too much esp when one doesn’t fight and the other cheats!

Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) July 7, 2015

@DustinPoirier so did Martin Luther king and you know that end result! U guys at ATT think you finally came up with a blueprint to beat me??

— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) July 7, 2015

Star-divide

So pumped.

Sandra I am pumped to see how the @rondarousey portrait comes out. https://t.co/xtol5rNgcB

— Dana White (@danawhite) July 8, 2015

I am hearing that @MonsterEnergy is having a badass set up during the #ufc expo this weekend. Pumped! pic.twitter.com/tlF750LMe9

Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) July 8, 2015

Im going to be in Las Vegas tomorrow. I’m pretty pumped. @ufcfanexpo

Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) July 8, 2015

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Top seller.

Thank you for t-shirt @reebok_russia Спасибо большое за футболку @reebok @reebok_russia #Reebok @BrochuKevin @ufc pic.twitter.com/1EYZ18603D

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 7, 2015

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (July 7 2015)

Ray Borg vs. Geane Herrera at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Teixeira

Star-divide

Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.

As if featherweight champion Jose Aldo couldn’t feel any lower, apparently his absence at UFC 189 has only added to the appeal.

At least that’s the line UFC president Dana White is going with.

According to White, the event headlined by contenders Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes has pushed its gate at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to a company U.S. record.

“It’s at $7.1 [million], it’s the biggest gate ever in the United States and not only did it not lose interest, it almost sort of gained more interest, as crazy as that sounds,” White said during an appearance on the The Rusillo Show (via MMAMania).

So while White, McGregor and Mendes stand to make out fairly well, Rusillo asked how much the champ stood to lose out on due to his injured rib.

“Millions of dollars,” White said. “Yeah, he probably would’ve made close to four million.”

A week after news leaked out of Brazil that the champ had suffered a rib injury, White announced Aldo was being replaced by Mendes to compete for the interim title.

White says Aldo’s head coach Andre Pederneiras even sent him footage of the kick that cost his fighter millions.

“It’s crazy because I actually saw the video,” said White. “He gets hit with a spinning-heel kick, which is crazy in itself that anyone is even throwing that at him two weeks before his fight. It is what it is. He stood to make a lot of money, a lot of money. If he could’ve fought, he would’ve fought.”

McGregor faces Mendes for the interim featherweight title July 11 at UFC 189 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Gamblin’ man. Dana White says Conor McGregor offered to bet him $3 million he’d knock out Chad Mendes in the second round.

‘The reality of the situation.’ Chael Sonnen says he believes Conor McGregor’s media obligations have ‘crossed the line of being too much.’

Here we go. USADA’s IV ban could make Cris Cyborg dropping to 135 pounds a ‘problem.’

Big business. Dana White says UFC 189 passed the U.S. gate record following the McGregor-Mendes announcement.

The purge. Ryan Jimmo and Hatsu Hioki are among 14 fighters cut from the UFC earlier this week.

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

Star-divide

UFC 189 embedded episode 6.

Star-divide

Pros pick Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald II.

Star-divide

Brendan Schaub picking Chad Mendes to TKO Conor McGregor.

Star-divide

Cris Cyborg says she hopes Bethe Correia kicks Ronda Rousey’s ass.

Star-divide

At least we know CM Punk can do crossfit.

Star-divide

Free Fight: Shogun Rua vs Chuck Liddell

Star-divide

Long watches.

Fight Night Chicago Free Fight: T.J. Dillashaw vs Renan Barao

“Monsoon Season” – Documentary on Lorenz Larkin from UFC Fight Night 70

Star-divide

TWEETS

Star-divide

Respect.

“José Aldo , when we compete , we compete . But you always have my respect . Conor McGregor respects nothing . I will have the support of their fans at UFC 189 ?”

Star-divide

Buddies.

Star-divide

Get well soon.

Star-divide

Sure.

Star-divide

Still got it.

Star-divide

Beef.

Star-divide

So pumped.

Star-divide

Top seller.

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (July 7 2015)

Ray Borg vs. Geane Herrera at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Teixeira

Star-divide

Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.