Jose Aldo: The featherweight 'interim belt is bulls**t'
UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo seeks to avenge his loss against Conor McGrgegor, even if he has to move up to lightweight to do so.
UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is less interested in a matchup against the interim featherweight champion, Max Holloway, and more enthusiastic about securing a bout with the most popular athlete in mixed martial arts today: Conor McGregor.
At UFC 194, Aldo suffered his first loss in 10 years at the hands of McGregor in the form of a 13-second flash knockout, losing his featherweight title in the process. McGregor went on to become the first fighter to hold two titles simultaneously after moving up to defeat Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title at UFC 205.
After McGregor’s inactivity became an issue at 145 pounds, Aldo and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar fought for the interim featherweight title at UFC 200. Aldo reigned supreme in the latter matchup and later became the undisputed champion when the UFC stripped McGregor of title last month.
Holloway, on the other hand, bested Anthony Pettis for the interim featherweight title at UFC 206, and earned the right to face Aldo for the undisputed title. However, in an interview with ag.fight (h/t flocombat.com), Aldo gave light to his desire to face McGregor. The Brazilian exclaimed:
“I want to get a fight with Conor, but as he is running from the fight…But we will fight at lightweight. I don’t want to fight him at featherweight. I’m the champion, and I’ve been beating everyone. I want to fight in another division, too, since this is possible now. It is not possible just for one guy. I will ask for a fight…”
With respect to fighting the interim featherweight champion, Aldo downplayed that notion, dismissing Holloway in the process.
“This interim belt is bulls**t… That is what this belt means. I’m the champion… If it is not going to be against [Holloway], I could do a super fight or fight in another division.”
Aldo and Holloway are scheduled to face each other at UFC 208 on Feb. 11 to unify the featherweight titles. If Aldo wins, however, more than likely, he’ll pursue a lightweight title bout against McGregor to become the second man to hold two belts in two separate divisions and to avenge his most devastating loss at the hands of his Irish counterpart.
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