Now that he has got the interim UFC featherweight title strapped around his waist it seems that Jose Aldo is getting back to his old self. The 13 second flash knockout he suffered to Conor McGregor last December clearly (and understandably) poked a whole in his previously impenetrable aura of invincibility but now, as he begins to focus his gaze towards McGregor once more, Jose Aldo knows he has a point to prove and is eager to get out there to show why he believes he is the best featherweight in the world.
There's just one obstacle - Nate Diaz.
Jose Aldo knows that his immediate future might well be governed by the outcome of the rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz next month and, for that reason, he's hoping that the outcome of the fight is similar in nature to how the first one ended.
Jose Aldo says Conor McGregor rematch ‘highly likely’ for Madison Square Garden https://t.co/6a1CrIU8dX pic.twitter.com/Pw78YOx6p2
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) July 21, 2016
Dana White has assured Aldo that McGregor will be returning to the featherweight division regardless of the result on August 20th but, as history has proved, UFC brass are always looking to do what's 'best for business' and if a third run of Diaz vs McGregor is what will draw the most money - then that is likely what they will do.
This is a scenario which concerns the Brazilian.
No, no. He has to lose. Otherwise, they will do a third fight. I’m rooting for him to lose, of course. If he wins, they will do another rematch with Nate, and that’s bad. He has to lose. He has to lose. He will lose.
UFC 205, the company's debut show in New York City at Madison Square Garden, looks like being the ideal stage to host the potential rematch between the two best featherweights in the world.
If he loses (to Diaz), it’s highly likely that they put us to fight on November 12, at Madison Square Garden. The Irish community is big over there. But if he wins, I think they will do a third fight between them and ruin all my plans.
If I had to bet, it would be Nate again [who will win]. From what I saw he’s way bigger, stronger, and he’s training. He got that fight on short notice and still was able to win. Well trained, it’s really hard for McGregor. If you look at (Diaz’s) fights, even when he’s getting beat, he finds a way to come back. If I had to bet, it would be Nate.
Aldo says that he has a contigency plan for if the Dubliner never returns to the division where he first won gold in the UFC. While he craves the opportunity for revenge, if the two fighters end up being separated by a weight class he is prepared to move on. And in Max Holloway, he has a potential new rivalry ready to go.
I really hope it happens. If it’s a fight against Holloway, I don’t see any problem. This event in New York will make history. I really hope I’m at this card because I want to be part of history.
