Jose Aldo still intends to defend his belt against Conor McGregor. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
The featherweight title headliner between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor at UFC 189 is still on -- at least for now.
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.