Jose Aldo wants to use the crowd energy on his favor this Saturday, when he’ll meet Chad Mendes for the second time in the main event of UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro. After breaking the protocol and saluting his fans personally after the open training session this Thursday, The UFC Featherweight champion told the media that he’s motivated to attack his opponent when the time comes.
“The support is wonderful. I’m an emotional guy and my confidence rises because of that. I know that the arena is going to be full and everybody is going to vibrate with me. I’m sure that I’m coming forward like a runaway truck.”
Aldo says that it’s possible that he jumps off the octagon to celebrate with the Brazilian fans again.
“With Lord’s grace, we are going to do what we have to do or the security will catch me and don’t let me do anything.”
Besides his TKO win against Chan Sung Jung due a shoulder injury, Aldo’s last finish was against Mendes at UFC 142, on January of 2012. The champion KO’d the challenger with a knee in the last second of first round and ran to the crowd’s arms to celebrate in Rio de Janeiro. However, Aldo has been criticized lately for playing safe on the Octagon, although he wins the fights showing dominance.