‘Admirable’ Jose Aldo comments could actually be cheeky Conor McGregor digs in disguise

Are we reading between the lines or reading too much into these comments from Jose Aldo?

Aldo is set to take on Max Holloway for a UFC featherweight title unification bout in UFC 212's main event on Saturday. Despite winning his title back, getting over that whole contract termination request, threat of legal action and even hinting that he would be willing to intentionally lose fights because he wasn't being granted a second shot at 'the Notorious,' those questions are unavoidable. Even if Conor McGregor is in no way linked to the fight he's promoting, he will be asked about. However, is Aldo the type to slyly shoe horn the Dubliner into the conversation even if he's not actually being asked about him? https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/869894871313723392 Judging by his answers during the UFC 212 media call, we think it's certainly a possibility. It's not news to anyone that Aldo wants to try his hand at boxing once he leaves MMA for good, but when he was asked about his future in the ring, he may have cheekily used it as an opportunity to score points on McGregor.

"Yes. Boxing is - that’s always been a personal wish of mine and it’s something that I like to think of a little bit down the road, but the wish that I have is not to just - I don’t have any specific one fight that I’d like to have. I’d like to start a career in fighting smaller shows and see where that takes me."

That's pretty admirable on first glance. He wants to have a career in boxing, earned the hard way. But, that's exactly the opposite of what McGregor is planning for his debut -  a bout against the highest earning pugilist in the history of the sport for yacht-loads of money. Think we're being paranoid? Read on.

"Boxing is something that I love to do. It’s a wish of mine that I’ve had to not just put on big fights, but put on a career in boxing, but that’s something I’m going to have to discuss with UFC and see what’s the best way of doing that down the line. But right now, I’d like to defend my belt and that’s what I’m going to continue to do."

Another mention of marquee fights coupled with a statement of intent to continue to defend his belt, something which McGregor has never done in his professional debut. If this is Aldo scoring wee pops at McGregor, it's very, very sneakily done.