Former UFC featherweight champ Aldo says it’s his dream to become champion at 135-pounds.
Former UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo might almost be two decades deep into his MMA career, but the Brazilian still feels he has more to achieve in the sport.
Aldo (28-7) faces rising bantamweight contender Marlon Vera this Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 17. The 34-year-old will hope to pick up his first win at 135-pounds after losing to Marlon Moraes and Petr Yan in his first two bantamweight appearances. Aldo is without a win in almost two years, last beating Renato Moicano in February 2019.
Talking to reporters including MMA Fighting before his fight with Vera, Aldo said it means a lot to be seen as one of the best fighters to grace the sport.
“I wanted to be one of the greatest when I started in this sport,” Aldo said. “I respect everybody, it means a lot, but I’m still active, I still think I have a lot left to do.
“It’s a legacy I set out to do, so I want to win all my fights. My dream is to become the champion in this division, that’s why I moved down in weight, so this is my biggest dream. It’s quite distant right now – we need to walk one step at a time.”
Vera (16-6-1) is coming off the biggest win of his career, handing Sean O’Malley the first loss of his career by TKO back in August. “Chito” has won six of his last seven UFC appearances.
“I feel no pressure whatsoever,” Aldo said. “I’ve always had great performances and lost to people well-ranked, so I have no pressure. It’s only my third fight in the division, I’ve accepted a challenge and I think I’m doing well on it.”
UFC VEGAS 17 will be headlined by a welterweight fight between Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal.