Jose Aldo can add a new title to his resume: underdog.
Nick Kalikas of MMAOddsBreaker.com has opened the betting lines for an Aldo vs. Conor McGregor showdown, and McGregor is currently the favorite at minus-180. Aldo, on the other hand, sits at plus-150.
Kalikas explained his reasoning to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
“McGregor answered several important questions, displaying both a terrific chin and a resilient spirit when facing adversity for the first time in his UFC career, despite entering the fight amidst rumors of an injured knee,” Kalikas said. “At this point, I have to open Conor near a 2-to-1 favorite. The line might seem a bit high, but make no mistake, the books will need Aldo when it’s all said and done.”
While this might seem a bit shocking, McGregor was actually a favorite against Aldo before the UFC featherweight champ bowed out of their UFC 189 showdown. Aldo opened as a minus-210 favorite when the bout was announced, but McGregor supporters eventually swung the line in the Irishman’s favor.
After McGregor’s impressive TKO victory over Chad Mendes Saturday evening in Las Vegas, Kalikas sees him as the favorite for an eventual bout with Aldo.
According to Okamoto, who spoke with UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, the Aldo vs. McGregor title unification bout will likely take place some time in late December 2015 or in January 2016.
By then the line could swing in the champ’s favor, and he will undoubtedly receive some play as an underdog to facilitate that process.
While McGregor has looked sensational, Aldo’s history speaks for itself. The Brazilian champ hasn’t lost since 2005, winning 18 straight since that time.
He’s defended his UFC title seven consecutive times, defeating the likes of Mendes, Frankie Edgar and Kenny Florian during that stretch. There’s no doubt that against any other man in the division, he’d open as the favorite, but McGregor commands a different level of respect and admiration.
What do you think of this opening line? Is Aldo being overlooked?
Sound off below, and we’ll discuss.
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