The Former UFC Featherweight Champion Has Said He Would Jump at the Chance to Fight Conor McGregor in Brazil… or Elsewhere…
Hardcore MMA fans will recognize Jose Aldo as one of the greats of the sport. The former WEC and UFC featherweight champion reigned supreme over his division for years, until a certain Irishman came along. He went unbeaten in the UFC between 2005 and 2015, demolishing everybody put in front of him.
Then the wheels came off the bus. There was that lengthy promotional tour for his fight against Conor McGregor that had a visible emotional effect on the Brazilian. Nobody had disrespected him like that before, especially when McGregor seized the champion’s belt in front of a partisan audience in Dublin. Then when they finally fought, it was all over in 13 seconds, after Aldo recklessly rushed in.
Many believe that Aldo deserved a rematch after such a long and dominant reign as champion. However, McGregor swiftly moved onto more lucrative contests. Now after ‘The Notorious’ declared his ambition to fight in Brazil before retiring, Aldo has invited McGregor to rematch him there.
Still Here
McGregor typically made headlines after he expressed his admiration for the atmosphere at UFC Fortaleza, where Aldo demolished Renato Moicano in the co-main event. Brazilian crowds – like the Irish – are known for their passion and colour, and McGregor was clearly impressed because he tweeted:
“What an amazing atmosphere at UFC Brazil tonight. I would LOVE to compete there for all the passionate Brazilian fans at some stage of my career. I was so close to securing a bout in Rio last year. It was essentially a done deal. Maybe next time. Ui Vai Morrer!!!! I’m still here.”
Of course, the incident which stopped him from fighting there was his suspension for the Brooklyn bus incident. Just a dolly through the window.
Ready
Typically, Aldo would love nothing more than the chance to get a rematch against McGregor. Many believe that if the fight went deeper, the result could be very different. That’s not to say McGregor wasn’t a worthy winner, his timing and power were clearly on point. However, an actual fight that goes a couple of rounds would be very interesting.
“To me, it would be great,” said Aldo. “I don’t know if this fight he said would be in Rio, but if I have that opportunity at the division above, that way I don’t have to suffer through the weight cut, I think it would be a great fight. I think in the first fight we weren’t able to show my work. He connected with a great punch, but if you have another opportunity, I think the story’s going to be different.”
Possible
Could McGregor actually rematch against Aldo? It’s a possibility. While Donald Cerrone appears to have momentum on his side after seizing the imagination of fans, in creating a match-up against McGregor, Aldo’s history would make him a more than a justifiable opponent.
It would have to be at lightweight though because let’s be real, McGregor is never going through that brutal cut to featherweight again. It leaves him looking like a meth head. That actually might suit Aldo because he’s not going to get another title shot while Max Holloway is champion.
