Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White has not yet phoned disgruntled interim Featherweight champion, Jose Aldo, even though the Brazilian has both feet out the mixed martial arts (MMA) door because of questionable decisions that he has made. Even though “Scarface” has stepped inside the cage for him on 17 different occasions since 2008 (include WEC appearances), losing just once during that impressive span.
It’s that lone loss, though, that is the genesis of Aldo’s dire discontent. Indeed, Aldo is so over the Conor McGregor show, demanding his immediate release shortly after “Notorious” was granted a Lightweight title shot against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 next month rather than defending his 145-pound belt.
“No,” Aldo said when asked about whether or not a call from White would assuage the situation (translation via MMAFighting.com). “Not even that because that would be the right thing to happen,” Aldo said. “This fight is the fight that should happen next in the Featherweight division. I conquered that [right] ever since I entered the UFC. I saw other champions losing and fighting right away for the belt. That was the right thing.
“I didn’t fight for the belt. They made me fight for the interim title, I went there and won, and still have no definition whatsoever. To me, not even a fight with McGregor… It’s not about him being fighting now or not. I don’t care where he’s going. I want to follow my path. Today, the right is me getting released from the contract.”
Aldo defeated Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 via unanimous decision this summer to claim the interim belt. It was a foregone conclusion that he would rematch McGregor at UFC 205 to unify the belt, but White and Co. had other last-minute plans. Nevertheless, “Scarface” claims he is not mad at White nor UFC. He simply sees the new vision for the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) league and isn’t feeling it.
“It’s hard for me,” he continued. “If there’s something good [the UFC can do] is release me. I don’t want to fight for another promotion. I’m at the level above. There’s no reason why leave the first division to fight at the second division when I’m well appreciated in the first division, it would mean taking a step back. I don’t want to fight for other promotion. I want to follow my way in a different sport, do new things. I’m a young guy, and I want to enjoy that side, too.
“A good thing would be if they release me without a fight. I’m not mad at the UFC or no one else. I like Dana, I have a special love for Lorenzo [Fertitta], a guy that always treated me well since I got to the UFC. If there’s something good from this, I hope they release me so I can follow my way and the UFC follows its way.”
Fertitta is no longer with the company in a significant capacity, cashing out on his $2 million investment earlier this year thanks to a $4 billion buyout. White, meanwhile, will remain with UFC for at least five more years, which is five longer than Aldo is willing to tolerate.