Jose Aldo is getting dangerously close to cleaning out the featherweight division.
Part of that is due to Aldo’s utter dominance, of course. But it’s also due to the lack of big-name opponents available for the featherweight champion. Ricardo Lamas is putting together a case for a title shot, but I can’t imagine that you’d be willing to throw down $60 to see that main event. The same goes for a potential rematch with Chad Mendes—we’ve already seen that dance once, and it didn’t end well the first time.
Chan Sung Jung is, at the moment, the most marketable opponent available for Aldo. But after that, what’s left? Not much, by my reckoning.
That leaves one major question: How would Aldo feel about moving up to lightweight?
[Lightweight] was a big chance once (rumor), but now I’m focused on my division. Andre (Pederneiras) is the one to make this call, him along with Dana White and Joe Silva. If they think it’s best for me to fight on the lightweight division, I will. Otherwise, I will keep fighting here, where I’m the champion.
The thought of Aldo moving up to face the best at 155 pounds leaves me positively giddy.
Aldo vs. Benson Henderson? Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar? Aldo vs. Donald Cerrone? Or even Aldo vs. Nate Diaz? These are all fights that make the hardcore fan inside me scream out with excitement.
Aldo still has a bit of work to do at featherweight. He’ll face Erik Koch in the fall, and then perhaps a fight with Jung is up for discussion. But should Aldo win both of those fights, there just isn’t much left that’s all that appealing for him at featherweight.
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