It’s going to take a lot for the UFC to mend fences with Jose Aldo.
The news of featherweight champion Conor McGregor’s latest fight booking sent ripples through the MMA world, particularly in the division he rules over. Rather than defend his title, McGregor engaged in a pair of welterweight bouts with Nate Diaz and next he moves on to face lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November.
For the third straight bout since defeating Aldo to win the 145-pound title in December, McGregor has passed on defending it. The Alvarez news was the last straw for Aldo, who’s threatening to take legal action to get out of his UFC contract in light of what he views as repeated offenses by the company.
On Monday, Aldo told Brazil’s SporTV there’s nothing the UFC can do to make him want to stay anymore. And that includes giving him the McGregor rematch he once coveted.
Aldo says not even a fight with Mcgregor will make him stay pic.twitter.com/0ChjcRhH3R
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) October 3, 2016
“No. Not even that. If anything, that should have been what happened. This fight is the fight that should’ve been made as the next fight at 145. I earned this. I earned this since I first arrived at UFC.
“Because I’ve seen other champions losing, and getting immediate rematches. But, in my case they made me fight for the interim belt instead. I did it, and I won. And even now, I don’t have any perspective for my future. So, for me, not even a fight against McGregor (is enough). I don’t care if he’s fighting someone else. I couldn’t care less about how he manages his career.
“I want to follow my own path. So, the only way for them to make things right with me, is by releasing me.”
The UFC and president Dana White have yet to comment on Aldo’s stance.
