It is fair to say that Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo have had a complicated and interesting rivalry.

The build-up to their fight in December 2015 was so intense that they even refused to touch gloves at the start of the fight. However, after McGregor’s spectacular 13-second win, the two men have forged something of a friendship, based on mutual respect.

McGregor has made a number of enemies during his career, but Aldo is one of the few who has expressed support for him post-fight.

Footage has emerged on social media within the last month of McGregor’s comments immediately after the fight.

Just prior to the referee raising his arm, the Notorious said: “Sorry bro, look we’ll go again, honestly I feel for Jose, he is a phenomenal champion, was a phenomenal champion, he deserved a little longer.”

The words come across as classy and respectful, with McGregor clearly seeing Aldo as a worthy opponent with the record to back it up.

Video: Conor McGregor's post-fight comment to Jose Aldo

McGregor's spectacular rise through the featherweight ranks since debuting in 2013 led to the Irishman being matched with Aldo in December 2015. A fight very few backed him to win.

In the lead-up to their fight, McGregor and Aldo developed a bitter rivalry. The pre-fight promotion played a part in this and even included an extensive world media tour where they visited five countries in just 11 days.

Whilst visiting Rio de Janeiro in Aldo's native Brazil, McGregor riled up fans in attendance by claiming he "owned" the town.

McGregor continued to aggravate Aldo on the tour with security having to keep the pair separate. However, after McGregor’s quickfire victory, the pair put this behind them and developed a healthy respect for one another.

McGregor said afterwards in his press conference: “There was a lot of stuff said…. what I said was 'Look, we can go again.' Although it's a nice feeling to get that knockout, it's kind of not nice as well. You can see what's happening around and you don't want to see the only (featherweight) champion in the company's history going out like that.

"I had a little moment where I felt sorry for Jose. It's been a long road and I appreciate that he showed up here and made the journey because I've no doubt that there were options to pull out like the last time but this time he stuck around."

In recent years, McGregor and Aldo have shown support for each other in the UFC. Just six months after their fight, Aldo won back the featherweight belt McGregor vacated and revealed the Irishman congratulated him with a "gift."

Conor McGregor vs Jose Aldo: Notorious' comment to Junior immediately after fight

“(McGregor and I) were staying at the same hotel, side by side. He saw me, and even sent a gift congratulating me for the belt I had just won," he said on the Trocacao Franca podcast.

McGregor has also praised Aldo for his performances, with the latter stating in August last year that the pair’s respect for each other would make a second fight impossible.

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