Jose Aldo Jose Aldo ’s longtime coach has stepped up to defend the fighter in the wake of his knockout loss to now-UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor in the headliner of this past Saturday’s UFC 194. Andre Pederneiras, who guided Aldo’s career at Nova Uniao, addressed the former champ’s loss  at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in an open letter – via MMA Fight Night Live – posted to Facebook and on Twitter. Pederneiras blasted critics who emerged after the fight and invited them to walk a mile in the Brazilian’s shoes. Negative comments had made him feel “a deep sense of loss at this moment.” The coach also appeared to fire back at UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who was caught on tape at UFC 194 calling Aldo (25-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) “deflated” and “nervous” prior to his fight with McGregor (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and speculated it was related to performance-enhancing drug use.