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UFC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION Jose Aldo has welcomed a match-up with Irish contender Conor McGregor.

‘The Notorious’ has shot up the rankings thanks to four straight victories in the Octagon and hinted on numerous occasions that he would relish a title shot at an outdoor stadium in Ireland next summer.

Aldo got the better of Chad Mendes at UFC 179 and says he would be happy to face McGregor — even if he doesn’t believe the Dubliner is ready.

“I hope he’s next because it would be a huge fight,” said the Brazilian, as reported by MMAFighting.com

“We have to look at both sides of the situation. He talks a lot, so it makes you more excited to fight. It makes it more intense. I hope he’s next and that we can do a great fight.

“He’s a tough fighter, but we haven’t seen him against a top 5. He’s not ready, but the promotion he does is good. He’s a good athlete. He talks a lot. If he doesn’t talk that much, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

“I see Chad (Mendes) as the best of them. If you put (Frankie) Edgar, Conor or (Ricardo) Lamas, he beats all of them on the same night.”

McGregor fights Dennis Siver on 18 January. Gregory Payan Gregory Payan

Next up for McGregor is a headline bout with German Dennis Siver at Boston’s TD Garden on 18 January and Aldo knows who he will be supporting.

I’m rooting for Conor,” he said. “Like it or not, I hope he wins because I will win a lot by fighting him.”

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