Jose Aldo, reigning UFC interim featherweight champion, could be laying the foundation for his exit from the UFC and the sport of MMA as an active fighter.
MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz reports that Aldo is heading to Las Vegas to meet with his bosses to resolve the current issues.
Aldo was none too pleased that UFC President Dana White announced that Conor McGregor would not only fight Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight belt but also keep his featherweight championship as well. Aldo came right out and expressed his desire to be let go from the organization, per Combate (h/t Damon Martin of Fox Sports).
What makes this trip to Vegas curious is Aldo stating he would not fight for another organization. Per Cruz’s interview with the champion, “It’s not like I want to retire, I’m too young and still have a lot left, but I have no desire to fight. And I have no interest in going to another organization.” Aldo continued, “If I’m not in the UFC, I’m not fighting anywhere else.”
So why meet with the UFC if he isn’t going to continue fighting outside of the organization?
Cruz asked Aldo just that question, and it has to do with outside projects. “They (UFC) have the rights for everything, even my breath,” said Aldo.
UFC athletes have been outspoken on several issues as of late. Lightweight Al Iaquinta decided to retire from fighting due to an unwillingness of the UFC to restructure his contract. Iaquinta confirmed his retirement to Brian Stann and Chael Sonnen on Twitter.
Former middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva felt disrespected by White and Lorenzo Fertitta following UFC 200, per UOL (h/t MMAWeekly.com). And lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov feels the same way after being spurned for title shots. Nurmagomedov has even threatened to keep the UFC out of Russia if he doesn’t get a title shot should he defeat Michael Johnson (h/t The Luke Thomas Show).
Aldo is not alone, and time will tell if his situation sets precedent for the future.
Aldo has been focused on the McGregor rematch since eating canvas in 13 seconds last December, but the UFC keeping McGregor as the featherweight champion while he has not yet defended the belt has been an equal part of his frustrations with the organization.
The scheduled meeting with the UFC should produce interesting results. Can the UFC entice Aldo back into a defense of his interim belt? Will he be guaranteed a fight with McGregor in 2017? Or will Aldo be retiring from competition?
Whichever it may be, do not expect Aldo to go quietly into the night.
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