Aldo vs McGregor (Photo : Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Jose Aldo vs Conor McGregor at UFC 194 on Dec. 12 not only guarantees an action-packed main event, but also predicted to break pay-per-view records.
UFC President Dana White said that the UFC 194 will be the "biggest gate" the company has ever done in the MGM Grand, with a projected 1.4 million in PPV buys and $9 million in gate attendance, according to Matt Connolly of Forbes.
"The metrics are off the chart," White told the Daily Mail.
"I'm looking to break some records."
However, Connolly noted that UFC 194 could only get around "1.3-1.5 million buys" just neck-to-neck behind last month's UFC event in Australia headlined by Ronda Rousey and Holly Holms.
But regardless of the PPV earnings, Aldo and McGregor are sure winners with the amount of money they could take home.
The report indicated that McGregor, the UFC's biggest draw in fight promotions, could earn $300,000 base, with an additional $250,000 and $3-$5 per PPV buys.
On the other hand, Aldo could get $250,000 win bonus on top of $500,000 base.
Meanwhile, McGregor has become the favorite to win the unification title bout against Aldo in Las Vegas at the coming weekend.
Oddsmakers in Best Fight Odds have McGregor at -110, while Aldo garnering a +106.
It is not surprising that "Scarface," who has been unbeaten for a decade, became the underdog of this fight. Aldo, although known for his overall skills inside the Octagon, has not been in action for more than a year and is coming off a rib-injury, which forced him to withdraw at UFC 189 against McGregor.
McGregor undoubtedly has the toughness and the "Notorious" has proven that from his past fights. His victory over Chad Mendes in July was a testament of how he could dominate UFC's featherweight division using his striking power.
However, Aldo still has the edge over McGregor despite all the mind games the Irishman has played.
Moreover, Aldo seems more focus than ever and a year full of upsets in major fighting events (e.g. Holly Holm, Tyson Fury) could also be the year of the Brazilian featherweight.
Aldo may not be able to knockout McGregor, but a fearless prediction has "Junior" winning via unanimous decision and unifying the UFC featherweight title belt.
UFC 194 Conor McGregor vs Jose Aldo is available via live streaming at UFC's official website.
