Perhaps that billboard in Dublin was the final straw but after holding his tongue for the past month or so Jose Aldo has gone all Popeye with the social media equivalent of 'that's all I can stands and I can't stands no more'.
It would seem that after collecting his thoughts, the featherweight legend has seen Conor McGregor rush off into the spotlight on the back of that 13 second KO defeat at UFC 194 and he's not happy about how things have played out. Granted, he was never going to be happy with the defeat but it's the UFC's top brass who come in for most criticism given the way McGregor has been allowed to head for the lightweight division with little thought for a rematch against one of the promotions most successful fighters.
If you're to look at it from his point of view, he has every right to be less than pleased with how the past month has gone. The McGregor media machine ratcheted up to previously unimaginable levels while a man who hadn't been defeated in ten years has been effectively put out to pasture.
He's not happy and next up for him is either a shot at whomever holds the featherweight title or a rematch against McGregor, with or without the belt.
I was quiet until now, but I've decided to talk This is my message @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/3FjMKak4xl
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) January 27, 2016
So there you have it Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta, the man is not going to head off quietly. He's still only 29 and 13 seconds don't make a career. As for his hopes of a rematch or a title shot, he may have to bide his time if that really is his plan. A return fight against someone like Max Holloway may be his best bet but if he's sticking to his word then you'd think he'll first have to wait and see how McGregor gets on against Rafael dos Anjos.
Nothing is happening in the featherweight division until it's clear whether McGregor has a future at lightweight. Win or lose, the next fight at featherweight is against Frankie Edgar. If that happens, it will more than likely be at UFC 200 in July. Only then will Aldo know what options are open to him. He went a long time between fights last time out and it looks like the former champ may have to sit and bide his time again if he's genuine about the above ultimatum.
