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As others have pointed out, Aldo has faced guys bigger than him. The size discrepancy isn't so wide that it will present a problem.
I don't think either guy is fast enough to make it a factor in this fight. More important is the meta-game. When you're a counter-puncher, you use attacks to draw an opponent to a specific action, then counter through the utilization of speed and power. To casual fans, this may look like "pure speed", but if you've baited someone into an attack, it's all meta-game to exploit them.
Do I expect both guys to beat the other to a punch a few times? Without a doubt. But if you're suggesting that Conor is just going to flat-out run circles around Aldo, that's ridiculous.
Conor does hit hard, while Aldo has a strong chin. Aldo also hits hard, while Conor's chin is unknown. It'd be best for either guy to avoid getting hit too often.
Strength also comes into play with grappling, of which I've seen that Aldo is capable. McGregor remains an unknown with elite competition.
As a challenger or a professional fighter, you'd better be confident. But Aldo isn't the champion by mistake. Aldo very much believes in himself and doesn't fear Conor, otherwise he wouldn't be at the top for so long. Let's not act like this is a remote inkling of an advantage for Conor, any more than it was an advantage for Sonnen. Promoting yourself is well and good, but Aldo isn't weak in this area.
Where confidence can be swayed, is in the heat of the moment, not before the fight. Confidence will come into play when adversity takes the forefront, and you have to maintain your composure. Everything changes when you get hit, or realize your plan A isn't working as well as you thought. For me, confidence comes into true effect, when you don't have an advantage, and bump up against doubt.
Aldo has faced down the worst in his division, and guys who've actually held top spots because they were that good. That's not to say that Conor isn't that good, but there isn't any question that Edgar or Mendes are absolutely elite. Aldo has that experience, while Conor does not. We'll see how his confidence holds up during his first real test. Personally, I don't think he will win, but I hope he does well. The lighter weight divisions need star power and even in losing, he'd have great fights ahead of him.
I think the leg kicks will be a factor, but not by themselves. Aldo puts together very nice combinations to set them up, and that's where points are scored and momentum shifts. Judges like the flurries, aggression, and control.
Conor has a tendency to move straight back, then come forward, in order to take advantage of his range and counter-punching. He likes to use spinning kicks to advance or pressure his opponents. Meanwhile, Aldo likes to come forward and is comfortable at any distance. We'll see how Conor reacts when forced out of his comfort zone.
