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Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has been gearing up for his anticipated bantamweight debut later this month at UFC 245 from Las Vegas, Nevada, when he takes on perennial contender Marlon Moraes.
Aldo, 33, has never competed at 135 pounds before and needed to drastically adjust his diet to get there. While the initial results showed a more lean and muscular Aldo, the Brazilian fighter is looking a lot different leading into his bout with Moraes next weekend. So much so that members within the combat community have begun to worry about the Brazilian’s current state of health.
While expanded weight cuts are never easy to accomplish it seems as if Aldo may have bitten off more than he can chew. But that’s really depending on who you ask, as one of Aldo’s most storied rivals, former UFC champion Conor McGregor, believes the featherweight legend has done a good job in dropping down to bantamweight.
I disagree here. He looks more than on top of it in my experienced opinion. Well trimmed in advance, and naturally a lighter man now. This can only be done over a long length of time and with complete dedication. Respect! I wish him well and am excited to see him in this division
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 6, 2019
“I disagree here. He looks more than on top of it in my experienced opinion,” wrote McGregor in response to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani’s recent Twitter post about Aldo. “Well trimmed in advance, and naturally a lighter man now. This can only be done over a long length of time and with complete dedication. Respect! I wish him well and am excited to see him in this division.”
McGregor cemented his outlook after Helwani questioned the timing of Aldo’s move down to 135 pounds.
The rejuvenation of your career with fresh goals and targets!
The prestige of being a UFC World champion in two weight divisions!
The feeling of excitement you will give the fans with all the new potential match-ups that can be made!
All great and valid reasons!
Enjoy— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 6, 2019
“The rejuvenation of your career with fresh goals and targets,” wrote McGregor. “The prestige of being a UFC World champion in two weight divisions! The feeling of excitement you will give the fans with all the new potential match-ups that can be made! All great and valid reasons! Enjoy.”
While McGregor has had his fair share of animosity and bad blood towards Aldo in the past the outspoken Irishman is doing what he can to instill some additional confidence into the former UFC champion leading up to his bantamweight debut.
What say you, Maniacs? Should fight fans be worried about Aldo’s recent weight cut?
Sound off!