Conor McGregor has been doing a lot of talking since making his Octagon debut back in 2013, when he defeated Marcus Brimmage via technical knockout at UFC on FUEL TV 9.
And after he busted up Max Holloway in his sophomore effort at UFC Fight Night 26 four months later, his chirps only got louder, by going on a crusade to bash the entire featherweight division, calling Dennis Siver "old," Dustin Poirier a "peahead" and Clay Guida "boring."
In his latest outburst during an appearance on "UFC Tonight," the scrappy Irishman went straight to the top of the totem pole, claiming he would "annihilate" the longtime 145-pound champion, Jose Aldo.
Not one for being much of a trash talker himself, Aldo recently spoke to MMA Fighting to give his thoughts on Conor's threat. According to Aldo, "Notorious" is just one of many in the fight game who prefer to promote themselves by constantly talking. But considering himself king after a short stint inside the Octagon is downright baffling to Aldo.
His words:
"That's normal. Some fighters like to promote themselves by talking, and he's just another one. I'm open to new challenges and I really hope he gets where he's saying he will, so we can fight and see for sure everything he says. For now, he's only a talker. I never watched this guy fight, man. He only fought once and thinks he's the king. I'm waiting to see him fight again."
Indeed, while McGregor only has two bouts inside the Octagon -- both victories -- he already has a huge following from fans and media alike.
So it seems all the chitter chatter is paying off.
But, in Aldo's view, you have to work your way up a bit higher before you can start proclaiming yourself ruler of a division which Jose himself has dominated with an iron fist -- and kicks -- for the past five years.
Conor, meanwhile, hasn't tasted defeat in his last 11 fights, and as he gears up to face Cole Miller in the main event of UFC Fight Night 46 on July 19, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland, a victory for "Notorious" would help him climb the rankings a bit higher on his quest to face the leader of the pack.
But with so many top-tier fighters such as Frankie Edgar, Chad Mendes, Ricado Lamas and Cub Swanson ahead of him, it could be a while -- if ever -- before Conor gets his crack against Aldo.
Anyone like McGregor's chances in a fight against Aldo, one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world?
And will he ever get there?