UFC star Conor McGregor says he’ll butcher Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes

UFC star Conor McGregor says he would have “butchered” Jose Aldo if he hadn’t “pussied out” and his new opponent will suffer the same fate.

‘I see me butchering his facial structure’

UFC star Conor McGregor says he would have “butchered” Jose Aldo if the Brazilian had not “pussied out” of their UFC 189 grudge match.

The most anticipated UFC fight of the year was called off this week when Aldo withdrew because of a rib injury, with American featherweight contender Chad Mendes announced as his replacement.

McGregor says he and Mendez should be fighting for Aldo’s world title belt, instead of an interim title when they clash in Las Vegas next Sunday.

The Irish fighter can’t quite shake a feeling of regret about his lost opportunity against Aldo.

“Every time I looked into that man’s eyes I saw fear,” McGregor said.

“I saw glass. I anticipated he would not show. When he got his opportunity to pull, he pulled.

“It’s something I expected. I don’t blame the man, I was going to f***ing butcher him. Rip him limb from limb. I wouldn’t want to face that either.

“He’s gone. He was beaten mentally before he was beaten physically.

“I don’t know whether he’ll be back. He’s gone running, and I don’t think he’ll be back.

“If a man pussies out, and he’s pussied out time and time again (then he should be stripped).

“If you’re fit to fight and you’re not going to fight, the belt rightfully should be stripped, and this (should be) for the regular featherweight belt.”

McGregor is just as confident about fighting Mendes, declaring Aldo’s absence means the featherweight class is “the McGregor division now”.

The pair exchanged heated words in today’s media call.

“You can’t even pass guard,” McGregor said.

“You’re a wipe-out on the mat. What are you going to do? Hold me down. I will butcher you from the bottom. I’ll get back up and butcher you on my feet.

“I can hear a quiver in his voice.

“I see me butchering his facial structure. I feel he’s in the wrong weight class. He gasses too quickly.

“I think Chad is a substitute. The B-Level. I think he’s a wrestler with an overhand that gasses quickly.

“I’m here to shut this man down. Break that pay-per-view record and cash those big, fat cheques and f*** everyone who doubts me.”

Aldo fired back at McGregor’s claims by publishing pictures of the X-rays he had taken on his injured rib.

Jose Aldo says this X-ray proves he couldn’t fight next week.

He says they prove he was not fit to defend his title.

Aldo said McGregor and Mendes were only fighting for a “toy belt”.

“The Octagon is my kingdom and there is only room for a king — it’s me,” Aldo said.

“If he wants to participate, you have to be the court jester.

“If you beat Chad Mendes, the only thing you’ll have is a toy belt to show friends, drunk in the bars of his country, because that’s what an interim title is for me — a toy. The champion is me.”