Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is in a difficult position at this point in his career.
As he watches the man who took his belt from him prepare for a historical fight that he asked for and promptly received, he must also accept that, at least while Conor McGregor continues to do exactly as he says, his wishes are not the UFC's top priority like they may have been in the past.
Aldo has today explained that he will refuse any fight that isn't a title fight, while speaking to the media in his homeland of Brazil:
Right after the fight, Dana came to the locker room and told us that the next fight would be against Frankie for the title and that Conor was moving up to lightweight because he was struggling to make weight.
I obviously want a rematch, especially because we didn't even fight. Neither of us fought, he connected with one punch and the fight was over. Beautiful, congratulations to him but that's not what anyone expected from the fight.
I don't live my life thinking about that, though. I always live my life focusing on tomorrow, on what's ahead. It doesn't matter if it's a rematch or a title fight against somebody else but I know we'll fight again one day and I'm going to win this time. I know I have the ability.
What's next for me is another fight and I won't accept any fight that's not for the belt.
On one hand, you can see where Aldo is coming from, but on the other, these comments were perhaps not the best idea.
When Jose Aldo says that he won't accept any fight that isn't for the belt, the only possible response from Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta is "Fine". Aldo wants a crack at revenge, but considering the manner in which his first loss in the UFC was handed out, it's just not feasible for that to be his next fight.
With Conor McGregor moving up to compete for the lightweight title, and being allowed to hold the featherweight title while doing so, the earliest possible featherweight title fight would be in the summer, with McGregor defeating Dos Anjos and then defending his title. That fight will almost certainly be with Frankie Edgar, so what next for Jose in that case?
Apparently, nothing. He won't take a fight with Edgar in the meantime, he won't fight anyone else until he's given another title shot. At least that is what he is saying now.
That could mean, if he is awarded the winner of McGregor vs Edgar, that he would go nearly a full year without fighting. Again. Considering that UFC 194 was Aldo's only fight since October 2014, then that inactivity could be a big problem not only for Aldo, but for the UFC as well.
What Aldo needs to do is focus on getting healthy first and foremost. He has been absolutely dominant in the featherweight division, and it would be extremely surprising if 13 seconds against Conor McGregor changes that. If he was asked to fight, lets say Max Holloway or Cub Swanson in the summer, he should seriously consider taking it and you would heavily fancy him for the win.
The other option is waiting, like he says he will, but if that title shot comes along, and Aldo doesn't win.. What then?
via sportv.globo.com
