UFC 189: Conor McGregor wants to fight Jose Aldo, not Chad Mendes

Conor McGregor has told Jose Aldo to shrug off his injury concerns ahead of their planned world title fight at UFC 189.

The Irishman is set to challenge for the featherweight championship in Las Vegas on July 11 backed by thousands of travelling fans but a rib injury to the champion threatens his participation. Chad Mendes, the No 1 ranked contender, has been confirmed as a standby to fight McGregor for the interim title if Aldo withdraws.

But McGregor has taunted the Brazilian champion by insisting he must show up for their scheduled scrap.

We all have knocks and bruises. Dust it off and step up. Step up and fight like a man. Fight like the champion you should be.

"I hope Jose shows up and fights like a man," he said during the UFC event on Saturday night where Yoel Romero defeated Lyoto Machida.

"Just toughen up and show up. Many people have stepped inside the Octagon with little, itty bitty bruises.

"We all have knocks and bruises. Dust it off and step up. Step up and fight like a man. Fight like the champion you should be."

The 26-year-old has questioned why Aldo would withdraw from one of the biggest events in the organisation's history, particularly since both men are likely to earn the biggest paydays of their careers.

But McGregor insists that he will take home the championship belt regardless of whether he faces Aldo or Mendes.

"There's a lot on the line," he said. "A lot of money, a lot of pride.

"There should be no reason to pull out of this contest. But if he does, that's on him and I can't force another individual to step in there. If I ask myself truly 'would I like to step in there and face me', I'd probably go running, too.

"If it's little mini Mendes, we'll smoke him, too."