Just like that, a potential fight between Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis could be in danger.
Just days after it appeared the fight was all but officially booked, Aldo’s coach and manager Andre Pederneiras said he wants the fight to happen at a catchweight of 150 pounds instead of for Pettis’ lightweight title.
“(A catchweight) would be interesting for both,” Pederneiras said. “They would keep the belts and do the fight everybody wants to see. Nobody wants to take the other’s title, we want to see the fight and do a great show for everybody. Aldo would move up a little, Pettis cuts a little, and it’s good for everybody.”
Only problem is, no one else seems to be on board with this idea.
“It’s not an option that was given to us,” Pettis’ manager Mike Roberts told MMAFighting.com on Wednesday. “[The UFC] wants the fight at 155 pounds.”
Pettis, who had surgery on the torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left knee in December, is scheduled to meet with his doctor in two weeks to find out how soon he can return to the Octagon. He told MMAFighting.com on Saturday night that he was on pace to fight on the promotion’s July 5 card.
“The way we understand it is that Aldo doesn’t want give up his featherweight title, so fighting Pettis is not an option at this point.
“We’re interested in Anthony defending his belt against the top guys at 155,” Roberts said. “If Aldo doesn’t want to fight for the belt, we’ll fight someone else.”
Roberts, who also manages Chad Mendes, said if Aldo refuses to fight Pettis at lightweight, he hopes the UFC will book a rematch between Aldo and Mendes at featherweight.
At Saturday’s post-UFC 169 press conference, UFC president Dana White clearly stated the for the Aldo vs. Pettis fight to happen, Aldo would have to vacate his 145-pound title.
“I can answer that question: The answer is yes,” White said. “[Aldo] would vacate the title, move up to 155, fight for the title. If he didn’t win the title at 155 he could go back and challenge for the 145-pound title again if he wanted to do that. Or, if he wins the 155-pound title, then two other guys would fight for the 145-pound title.”
Aldo seemed on board, too.
“It’s not about me, it’s about Dana [White] and Lorenzo [Fertitta],” Aldo said. “I’ve always been ready, I want that fight. Everybody wants that fight. If the fight was tonight, I’d fight him. So it’s up to UFC and Dana.”
What a difference a few days make.