Issue 129

June 2015

FO spends two weeks on the road with...

Relive the drama of the UFC’s historic global expedition as FO follows José Aldo, Conor McGregor and Dana White across five nations

FRIDAY 20TH

The record-breaking UFC 189 media tour kicks off in featherweight champ José Aldo’s home country of Brazil. “I’m ready to go. I’m ready for war, you know that,” Conor McGregor tells UFC president Dana White before the first press conference begins in front of a large, hyped-up Rio de Janeiro crowd. 

MONDAY 23RD

After taking a couple of days to readjust to the bright lights of Las Vegas and perform media duties, Conor and José meet with the city’s mayor, Carolyn Goodman, before hopping on separate private jets and flying to Los Angeles, California.

WEDNESDAY 25TH

After just one day in LA, it’s another sold-out press conference with McGregor and Aldo, this time at the Strand Theatre in Boston. Unlike in Rio, this crowd is firmly on the Irishman’s side. “You’re a p**sy,” Conor taunts the champ as Dana physically holds him back during the post-presser staredown.

THURSDAY 26TH

As the tour hits The Big Apple, Aldo visits his friend and 155lb pioneer Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Ribeiro at his gym for some crucial training. Meanwhile, McGregor is with his friend and training partner Artem Lobov on the set of a special photo shoot, which mimics an iconic Sports Illustrated cover that featured boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Later, UFC 189 co-main event stars Rory MacDonald and 170lb champ Robbie Lawler join the Irishman and Brazilian at the New York City press conference.

FRIDAY 27TH

In Toronto, things get especially heated between Aldo and McGregor when Conor ignores the ‘no touching’ rule and puts a hand on José on the set of popular Canadian TV show Canada AM. Dana manages to quell the tension and the show continues. The day ends with another entertaining press event, this time at the Toronto Eaton Centre.

MONDAY 30TH

Following a relentless four-day stretch, Aldo, McGregor and Dana have a couple of days to rest before the tour continues in London, England. Before attending a more-tranquil-than-usual Q&A session, which is only open to a select group of media professionals, José visits Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium to enjoy an international soccer match between Chile and his beloved Brazil. To the 145lb champ’s joy, his team wins 1-0.

TUESDAY 31ST

“Good morning #Ireland!!!! Beautiful day for last day of the @josealdojunior vs 

@TheNotoriousMMA World Tour,” tweets Dana as the tour reaches its end in Dublin – Conor’s home city. Of course, the fans are loud in their support of McGregor and equally vocal in jeering Aldo. Conor doesn’t disappoint spectators when he swipes José’s title belt during the presser, to make sure the grudge between the champ and the challenger is stronger than ever as the tour concludes.