UFC: Jose Aldo Suffered Bruised Rib, Still Expects to Defend Title vs. Conor McGregor

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The featherweight title headliner between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor at UFC 189 is still on -- at least for now.

According to a statement released by the UFC on Wednesday evening, Aldo did not break his rib in sparring as originally feared. After receiving “medical confirmation from several doctors” that Aldo did not break his rib, it was determined that the featherweight champion “suffered a bone bruise to his rib and cartilage injury during training.”

As a result, Aldo fully intends to defend his title against McGregor at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 11, according to the statement. However, if Aldo is not able to compete as planned, Chad Mendes will face McGregor at UFC 189 for the interim featherweight crown.

Mendes dropped a competitive five-round decision to Aldo in a 145-pound title tilt at UFC 179 this past October. The Team Alpha Male product returned to action on April 4, as he scored a technical knockout victory over Ricardo Lamas at UFC Fight Night in Virginia.

UFC 189 also features a welterweight championship bout between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald in the evening’s co-main event.