Conor McGregor finally lands Jose Aldo UFC title showdown date

“The only way I would gain respect is through battle. He has been around a long time and done some good things. But he didn’t show up,” stated McGregor.

“He and his team were watching my fight from under their duvet, praying that Mendes would win so he wouldn’t have to fight me. How can I respect that?

“But if he does show up, in Dallas or Vegas, in December, it’s going to be big. It always is if McGregor’s on the card. I’ll unify these belts and then next summer we’ll go to Croke Park in Dublin.”

Meanwhile, the feisty Dubliner has also been involved in a war of words with undefeated 11-time world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather, along with fellow UFC warrior Ronda Rousey, claiming they would both demolish him.

“I’d also jump in and box Mayweather, 100 per cent. What do you think would happen? In a real fight I would dismantle him in seconds,” declared McGregor.

“Ronda [Rousey] would dismantle him in seconds, 100 per cent. When you don’t know how to grapple you don’t stand a chance. For us, it’s like playing with a baby. She would throw Floyd on his head in a second. Me? I would knock him out cold.

“Why would he take me on? But if you’re talking about a fight that could generate half a billion, it’s this one. There’s never going to be another boxing fight like this. Only a cross-style match between Mayweather and me could generate that kind of interest and revenue.”

Such an unorthodox match-up is never likely to be agreed, with Mayweather taking on Andre Berto in potentially his last ever fight in September(13/8 wins by KO or TKO), while McGregor has his sights firmly gazed on claiming Aldo’s belt in December.