Conor McGregor’s showdown with Jose Aldo could land at Cowboys stadium

Conor McGregor’s ability to draw a record $7.2 million live gate Saturday night at MGM Grand has raised the possibility that his greater showdown with Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight champion Jose Aldo will be fought at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Amid reports the UFC wants the Aldo-McGregor bout to headline UFC 194 on Dec. 5 and that MGM Grand in Las Vegas is booked that night with an Andrea Bocelli concert, taking the bout to the mammoth Dallas Cowboys’ stadium is on the table.

“We are looking at our options, nothing set yet,” UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta told The Times in a Friday morning text message.

After McGregor (18-2) scored a second-round technical knockout of top-ranked featherweight Chad Mendes on Saturday night at MGM Grand to win the interim featherweight belt, UFC President Dana White said the Aldo bout had the potential to be staged at the NFL stadium.

Manny Pacquiao fought twice at Cowboys Stadium in 2010, defeating Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey.

The 28-year-old Aldo (25-1) claimed the UFC belt when the featherweight division was established in 2011 and has won seven title fights, including two victories over Mendes.

On Saturday, Mendes called Aldo “a different beast,” when he was asked his thoughts on who would win the fight.

“It’s a fight I’m looking forward to watching, it’s going to be a good one,” Mendes said.

The Brazilian Aldo suffered a rib injury in training last month and withdrew from the McGregor fight, prompting the colorful Irishman to assess that the champion is avoiding the fight.

McGregor’s widespread appeal resulted in record attention on the UFC’s website, White said after the bout, and the pay-per-view buys (kept private by UFC) could exceed 1 million.

McGregor drew an estimated 4,000 fans from Ireland for the bout.

McGregor, 26, will further increase his exposure by coaching in the UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter” reality television series against Urijah Faber this season.

“Look how big this thing was with Chad ... we couldn’t sit another person inside. ... Jose Aldo is the only champion in the history of the division, hasn’t lost in 10 years, has defended his title seven times. What would it do with Jose in it?” White asked after Saturday’s fight.

White later said it’s easier to stage fights in Las Vegas. MGM has previously moved concerts to other venues should a greater event become available. UFC also traditionally stages major fights around New Year’s Eve, and the Jan. 2 date at MGM was discussed this week for Aldo-McGregor.

Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter @latimespugmire