UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo defends his belt against Chad Mendes at UFC 179 next week, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t heard about rising superstar Conor McGregor yet.

While “Scarface” initially told MMA Junkie that he hasn’t heard much about the McGregor hype, he later admitted he was familiar with “The Notorious.”

“I’m the champion, and I plan to remain the champion. I do pay attention to any featherweight fight where someone is ranked in the UFC, since that could potentially be my next adversary.”

“Conor is no different than any other fighter … I don’t see anything that stands out,” he said.

Aldo, the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC’s official rankings, has won 17 fights in a row and has already beaten Mendes at UFC 142 in January 2012.

“Money” was unable to secure any of his signature takedowns and ate a vicious knee with just one second remaining in the opening frame, knocking him out cold.

He has since rallied back with five straight victories inside the Octagon, with four of those coming via way of knockout.

Meanwhile, McGregor has rattled off 12 wins in a roll, including four straight under the UFC banner.

After easily disposing of perennial contender Dustin Poirier at UFC 178 last month, UFC President Dana White indicated that McGregor could be next in line to fight the winner of Aldo-Mendes II.

However, McGregor has since said he wants another fight instead of sitting on the sidelines, targeting Russian-German striker Dennis Siver.

McGregor’s next opponent is still yet to be announced.