Jun 3, 2017; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Jose Aldo (red gloves) reacts to fight against Max Hollway (blue gloves) during UFC 212 at Rio Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports | Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
I was going to open with a joke about salads but according to coach John Kavanagh, former UFC featherweight champion, Conor McGregor, captured the 145-pound crown on nothing but leafy greens and spring water.
The man he beat for the 145-pound strap, Jose Aldo, will be employing a similar strategy as he attempts to cut down to the bantamweight division. A move precipitated by his unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkanovski last May.
“Yeah, I’ve always done that, but this time I can’t [eat steak],” Aldo told the combat sports media (via MMA Fighting). “Only if it were a vegan steak house, salads only. I’m eating that a lot now, almost two pounds of salad a day. But I’ll be able to do that the Saturday after the fight.”
Aldo (28-5) takes on former bantamweight title contender, Marlon Moraes, at the UFC 245 pay-per-view (PPV) event later this month in Las Vegas, Nevada (more on that fight here). “Magic” is ranked No. 1 in the division and won four of his last five.
A victory for Aldo would put him in immediate title contention whereas a loss would leave him in no man’s land. Unless he wants to try his luck at lightweight, which may yield healthier results (and a lot more steak).