Morning Report: Conor McGregor says he'll leave critics speechless after Jose Aldo 'crumbles' in first round

It's been quite the lead up, but Star Wars: The Force Awakens UFC 194 is finally upon us.

We've waited for ages to see UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo finally face interim champ Conor McGregor, but the Irishman says he could have stood to wait a bit longer.

Aldo was forced to withdraw from the pair's initial booking at UFC 189 in July and McGregor wants to make sure we don't see a repeat occurrence.

"I said it to [UFC], it was a little to early," McGregor told Severe MMA. "I only just fought in July. I only just saved everybody's ass by showing up for that fight in July. I could have easily walked and cost the company $20 million in production, $7 million in gate, $40 million in pay-per-view. I could have cost them a lot.

"I said to them, 'It's a little too early for Aldo.' Because his ribs and his body. I just thought he's going to rush into camp again and it could hamper it and he could pull out again. But we're getting close now. All signs point that he will show up. I hope he does."

Having seemingly answered "the wrestler question," (or not), McGregor says he's anxious to hear what his critics will have to say after he captures the title.

"I'm hungry right now," said McGregor. "I'm prepared to kill this man and unify the belts and then what will they have to say? What will they have to say after Jose falls? Jose is the No. 1 pound-for-pound. We'll see what they have to say after Jose crumbles inside one."

McGregor was also asked about a possible 2016 event at Dublin's Croke Park. UFC president Dana White has promised McGregor a booking at the 82K seat stadium if he beats Aldo, but McGregor sounds chained down to Sin City.

"I'll believe in Croke Park when I see it," said McGregor. "I feel like what I did in Las Vegas in July and what the Irish fans did, we brought $200 million in revenue over to that city. It helped seal the deal on the new MGM deal for the UFC. I'll believe Croke Park when I see it. They say this and that, but I feel I might have been locked into MGM for a while. I feel the MGM wanted me every time for what we bring."

Aldo defends his title to McGregor Dec. 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

'She just had a bad day.' UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos says Ronda Rousey would be more than welcome to join he and Fabricio Werdum at KINGS MMA.

Monday Morning Analyst. Luke Thomas breaks down the techniques from UFC Fight Night 78, Bellator 146 and WSOF 25.

'The opponent is subject to change, as is the weight class.' Cris Cyborg vs. Cindy Dandois at 140 pounds is targeted for Invicta 15 in January in Southern California.

TUF. 'The Ultimate Fighter 23' tryouts will be open to both women's divisions and men's light heavyweight.

'Fighting in the shadow of the world's strongest man.' Karim Zidan profiles power lifter turned fighter Mariusz Pudzianowski.

Watch The MMA Hour with Kimbo Slice, Michael Bisping, Brian Stann, Ben Askren, Rafael Cordeiro, Shannon Knapp, 'Punkass' and Geoff Grammer.

MEDIA STEW

Conor McGregor calls Ronda Rousey a true champion that will be back.

Set your DVR's for tonight.

Holy Holm's champ grind continues.

Highlights from WSOF 25's eight-man lightweight tournament.

BAMMA: Unfiltered with Luke Barnatt.

TTTHS.

Long watches.

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TWEETS

Back to Cali.

Leaving Ireland today for the West Coast to unify my belt and spearhead the unprecedented... https://t.co/G2aX47113A

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 23, 2015

Tested.

Mais um teste pra conta!! https://t.co/WQHfgRJ21u

— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) November 23, 2015

ICYMI.

Jones got chatty.

Only when he said "its me Jon then the rest of the division" Trying to group us. That's not how being alpha works https://t.co/4z1fBP4K93

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 24, 2015

I don't think he scared but I do know he is going to really enjoy these holidays knowing the belts safe for a while https://t.co/zPmKq2gcjq

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 24, 2015

She'll definitely fight again, I've actually been thinking about her a lot lately. Really hope she's OK https://t.co/g0vwdlH3FO

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 24, 2015

Buds.

I want to thank @hollyholm for the kind words. Congrats on your success. Please follow @hollyholm and read this https://t.co/9v2ctLWXQE

— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) November 23, 2015

Putin in work with @mjkeenan before his @puscifer #denver performance tomorrow night. Get tix now! @ToolPusciferAPC pic.twitter.com/JbknXYqbHg

— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) November 23, 2015

Get well soon.

I'M GOOD and will be back soon! Had an apointment with Dr.SHIN and It's all looking very... https://t.co/pyqkVOxoNr pic.twitter.com/6hOWgKr1Tj

— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) November 23, 2015

So what I can say about... Maybe I took to many punches in my last fight?! #fun #funny #goodtimes #LAX #JJ #JJCHAMP #JOANNACHAMPION #JoannaJedrzejczyk #UFCHAMP

A video posted by Joanna (@joannajedrzejczyk) on Nov 23, 2015 at 6:50pm PST

Poor Mac.

So my buddy @RMcElhenney Aka Mac tried to come at me with Karate. Then I said hello to his wife @kaitlin_olson pic.twitter.com/Fpl1uM2mo5

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) November 24, 2015

The revenge.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 23 2015)

Cris Cyborg vs. Cindy Dandois at Invicta FC 15

Livia Renata Souza vs. DeAnna Bennett at Invicta FC 15

Irene Aldana vs. Raquel Pa'aluhi at Invicta FC 15

Amber Brown vs. Lisa Ellis at Invicta FC 15

Jodie Esquibel vs. Angela Hill at Invicta FC 15

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.