Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo
While McGregor’s blood-bath war of words with Khabib Nurmagomedov is his most ‘Notorious’ so far, he had also hit below the belt during the build-up to his first major title-shot against Jose Aldo back in 2015.
The UFC had cranked up their PR machine to a new level ahead of this fight, with the two men going on a world media tour to promote the fight, and McGregor’s tongue was sharper than ever.
“After that five-round Mendes fight, which arguably could’ve went to him, you look like you’ve had a stroke,” McGregor informed his rival. “The left side of your face is drooping. I’m worried about you.”
There was also an intense Ireland vs. Brazil rivalry brewing during the build-up and McGregor charged straight into it at the press conference in Rio with a cutting remark that infuriated Aldo and his countrymen.
“If this was a different time, I would invade his favela on horseback, and would kill anyone who wasn’t fit to work, but we’re in a new time, so I’ll whoop his ass in July.”
