UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is patiently awaiting the UFC’s next assignment after a convincing decision win over Ricardo Lamas at UFC 169 earlier this month, but has taken umbrage with some of his bosses’ recent comments.
In an interview…
UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is patiently awaiting the UFC’s next assignment after a convincing decision win over Ricardo Lamas at UFC 169 earlier this month, but has taken umbrage with some of his bosses’ recent comments.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, “Scarface” expressed some displeasure about UFC President Dana White putting an emphasis on finishes equating to a higher ranking in the pound-for-pound rankings.
“The ranking is f—-g useless, and I don’t care about it or anything people put on (about it),” Aldo said. “The best pound-for-pound fighter is (Cain) Velasquez because he beats all of them. If they put him against me, he’d beat me. That’s how it works for me. The best is that one that beats everybody. I don’t care about the rankings.”
Aldo, currently the no. 2 fighter in the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings, is currently in the midst of a convincing 17-fight win streak, but has drawn a bit of criticism for only stopping two of his opponents in six UFC appearances.
For the sake of comparison, the Brazilian striking specialist—with a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to boot—finished seven of his eight bouts inside the WEC cage.
Also, bear in mind that in Aldo’s past four fights he has scored two knockouts against Chad Mendes and Chan Sung Jung, while going the distance with Lamas and the very durable Frankie Edgar.
Aldo was tentatively linked to a summer showdown with UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, but that bout has once again been put on hold since “Showtime” will now coach season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter opposite Gilbert Melendez instead, per MMA Junkie.
The 27-year-old noted that a rematch with Mendes may be on the horizon, but expressed little enthusiasm for a rematch with his American counterpart.
“I respect (Mendes) a lot, he’s tough, but it doesn’t matter if he’s coming off knockouts or not. I don’t think he changed the way he fights, and he didn’t fight top 10 opponents,” Aldo said.
Mendes has won five straight bouts since his loss to Aldo, the only defeat of his professional mixed martial arts career, with four of those wins coming via KO.
Are Aldo’s comments regarding pound-for-pound rankings right on the money or completely unjustified?
John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
Jose Aldo kicks hard, ladies and gentlemen.
The UFC featherweight champion carved his spot in the sport of MMA by overwhelming his opponents with a speedy, powerful and precise striking game, and his best offensive weapon might just be his choppi…
Jose Aldo kicks hard, ladies and gentlemen.
The UFC featherweight champion carved his spot in the sport of MMA by overwhelming his opponents with a speedy, powerful and precise striking game, and his best offensive weapon might just be his chopping, damaging low kicks.
Lamas, the most recent challenger to Aldo’s throne, came up short in his bid for the 145-pound title at UFC 169, and his only consolation prize was a battered and bruised leg, courtesy of Aldo’s sledgehammer kicks.
Comparing this to what Aldo did to Urijah Faber at WEC 48, it is clear that Lamas is either The Wolverine or he was much better prepared for Aldo’s kicking attack.
While Aldo certainly scored with several ferocious low kicks throughout the bout, Lamas never appeared to slow from them. He was not checking them particularly well, either.
He was just…eating them.
Aldo may have taken a bit off his low kicks after shattering his foot at UFC 163, but given the speed and intensity with which he whipped his kicks into Lamas’ thigh, I personally do not see that as a likely explanation.
No limping, barely any bruising…Lamas is just a tough, tough dude, which is great, given that he can toss himself back into the mix at featherweight in short order.
Stealing one round and nearly equaling Aldo’s total striking output proved that Lamas is an elite featherweight, and now, he gets to work his way back up the ladder and try again for the coveted belt.
Aldo appears to be leaving the division for a lightweight title fight with Anthony Pettis, and UFC President Dana White recently said that it would “make sense” if Cub Swanson and Chad Mendes slugged it out for the vacated 145-pound strap, via MMA Junkie.
For Lamas, that means that one less invincible Brazilian stands in his way of UFC gold.
Do you think Lamas can eventually become champion, or will Mendes and Swanson keep him from reaching the top?
On the Eve of Super Bowl Sunday, the UFC delivered an explosive night of fights from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Nova Uniao teammates Jose Aldo and Renan Barao successfully defended their UFC championships in dominant fashion. Aldo pic…
On the Eve of Super Bowl Sunday, the UFC delivered an explosive night of fights from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Nova Uniao teammates Jose Aldo and Renan Barao successfully defended their UFC championships in dominant fashion. Aldo picked apart a game Ricardo Lamas for 25 minutes and, arguably, solidified his spot as MMA’s top pound-for-pound fighter.
Bantamweight champ Barao blitzkrieged Urijah Faber with a barrage of strikes in the first round to earn the TKO victory. Although the stoppage was highly controversial, Barao looked every bit like the berserker we’ve been accustomed to seeing in the Octagon.
Also on the card: Alistair Overeem manhandled Frank Mir, Ali Bagautinov beat John Lineker and Abel Trujillo knocked out Jamie Varner.
Let’s take a look at who scored the highest on the UFC 169 report card.
(I’ll eat my own foot if the word “bro” wasn’t uttered at least once. / Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)
Legacies will be defined, belts may or may not change hands, and “Bagautinov” will be pronounced at least three different ways — welcome, ladies and gents, to CagePotato’s liveblog of UFC 169: Barao vs. Faber. On tap for this evening: Renan Barao attempts to defend his unified bantamweight title for the first time against Urijah Faber, and Jose Aldo goes for his sixth UFC featherweight title defense against hard-charging contender Ricardo Lamas. Plus: a heavyweight battle between Alistair Overeem and Frank Mir that’s totally awesome if you don’t think about it too hard.
Handling play-by-play for the UFC 169 pay-per-view broadcast is Aaron Mandel, who will be putting live results from the main card after the jump, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest updates, and shoot your own thoughts into the comments section. Thanks for coming.
(I’ll eat my own foot if the word “bro” wasn’t uttered at least once. / Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)
Legacies will be defined, belts may or may not change hands, and “Bagautinov” will be pronounced at least three different ways — welcome, ladies and gents, to CagePotato’s liveblog of UFC 169: Barao vs. Faber. On tap for this evening: Renan Barao attempts to defend his unified bantamweight title for the first time against Urijah Faber, and Jose Aldo goes for his sixth UFC featherweight title defense against hard-charging contender Ricardo Lamas. Plus: a heavyweight battle between Alistair Overeem and Frank Mir that’s totally awesome if you don’t think about it too hard.
Handling play-by-play for the UFC 169 pay-per-view broadcast is Aaron Mandel, who will be putting live results from the main card after the jump, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest updates, and shoot your own thoughts into the comments section. Thanks for coming.
Preliminary card results
– Alan Patrick def. John Makdessi via unanimous decision (29-28 x 2, 30-27)
– Chris Cariaso def. Danny Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– Nick Catone def. Tom Watson via split-decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
– Al Iaquinta def. Kevin Lee via unanimous decision (29-28 x 2, 28-27)
– Clint Hester def. Andy Enz via unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 30-26)
– Rashid Magomedov def. Tony Martin via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
– Neil Magny def. Gasan Umalatov via unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
Alright everyone, we are live for the UFC 169 PPV card! The first seven (7!) fights all went to decision so if you’re just tuning in now congrats on not wasting your life, we must be due for something good.
Abel Trujillo vs. Jamie Varner
Varner took this on slightly short notice as an injury replacement for Bobby Green and he’ll be looking to keep his career resurgence going against the the up and comer Trujillo.
Round 1- Left hook lands for Varner. Good one-two from Trujillo. Right hand lands from Varner. Two big shots just miss from Trujillo. Varner hits a right hand and Trujillo answers. Good even exchanges so far. Ducking left hook for Varner. Trujillo clinches and tries for a takedown but Varner reverses and has Trujillo’s back. Varner rolls with him and stays on the back looking to sink in hooks. They scramble and Varner is in north south working a choke. The attempt looks deep but Trujillo gives the classic thumbs up. Varner tightens the choke but releases and tries to transition to mount but looses position and they return to the feet. A wild exchange ensues and both fighters are clipped but seem okay. Good straight left lands from Trujillo followed by a knee, great round. 10-9 Varner.
Round 2- Trujillo comes out firing but mostly missing. Front kick from Varner. Left hook tags Trujillo and tries to pounce but Trujillo fires back and clips Varner who shoots in on the legs. They are both standing and Varner clips Trujillo who goes against the fence and then slumps forward for a takedown. Varner sprawls and works strikes. Varner swivels to the back as Trujillo rises against the cage. They go rock em sock em robots against the cage and Trujillo is taking the worst of it but is still in the fight, but he is seriously wobbled. Out of nowhere Trujillo unloads a right hand that puts Varner out cold!!! Wild fight, holy shit.
Abel Trujillo defeats Jamie Varner via KO, 2:32 of round 2
Trujillo admits in the post-fight interview he was seriously hurt before getting the KO, love the honesty and the warrior spirit! This will be hard to top for FOTN and maybe KOTN.
Ali Bagautinov vs. John Lineker
Lineker has more UFC experience and top level KO power for 125 lbs. but Bagautinov can bring it and has shown it up to this point. Lineker struggled to make weight (again) yesterday so we’ll see if his gas tank can last if it needs to. Winner of this might get a Flyweight title shot in this new, emerging division.
At the check-in point they clip Lineker’s fingernail as Rogan starts with the mani/pedi jokes. NJ commission is world-class and Lineker cannot seem to keep his shit together.
Round 1- Lineker stalking and rips a right but Ali times it well and hits a takedown, looking to pass from full guard. Lineker working elbows from the bottom and man, he really does hit hard. Ali postures up and looks to rain down strikes. Ali trying to pass but Lineker doing a good job maintaining full guard. Lineker spins for a leg lock agains the sambo master as Rogan clowns on him. Ali switches to a heel hook of his own and sits back on it, looked good but Lineker spins out and they stand. Lineker taunts Ali to stand and strike. Lineker stalking again as Ali moves around the edge of the Octagon. Lineker throws a right body kick with Ali catches and uses to take Lineker down where he is on top in half guard throwing punches. Lineker trying for a kimura from the bottom as round ends. 10-9 Bagautinov.
Round 2- Low kicks from both men to start. Ali dives in on the legs for a takedown but it’s from way too far out and they end up against the fence. Ali flurries with strikes and they tie up in the clinch. They split, left hooks from Ali as he moves constantly to avoid Lineker’s power. Huge body shot right punch from Lineker and two more, ouch, these look good. Ali dives for a takedown which fails and those body shots hurt him. Lineker opening up and starting to tag Ali and the momentum is shifting. Ali dives under a punch for a takedown. Lineker sprawls and throws elbows to the body as he rises against the fence. They separate and Ali hits some good punches to the head of Lineker, kick is blocked and Ali goes for a takedown which fails. Round ends with a flurry, Lineker landing some heavy shots. 10-9 Lineker.
Round 3- By my unofficial scoring it will come down to this round. Ali wades in through strikes and get a takedown from a clinch trip but Lineker gets back to his feet. Ali throws Lineker back down from the body lock. Ali working to full mount as Lineker works a kimura and recovers half guard. Lineker uses the fence to get back up but gets hit with a left and then taken back down by Ali. Half guard with Ali on top and Rogan makes the good point that Lineker’s cardio remarkably seems okay as we’re halfway through the third round. They are clinched against the cage with Ali working knees. They separate, one minute left. Ali dives in on a leg and gets it, even from quite far out. Ali working strikes on top as Lineker goes for a leg lock and eats some strikes to pay for it. The fight ends with Lineker working a leg lock as Bagautinov stands up flexing and playing to the crowd. 10-9 Bagautinov.
Ali Bagautinov defeats John Lineker via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Frank Mir vs. Alistair Overeem
Time for the big boys to throw down. Both have been on the wrong end of KO’s as of late and the loser could be out of the UFC.
Round 1- BIG DUDES! Touch of the gloves and some feeling out. High kick by Mir, body punch from Overeem. Low kick by Overeem and a right hand from Mir. Mir comes in with strikes and clinches but Overeem reverses and throws some knees. They split, leg kick from Overeem and he lands a short left hand on Mir. Left hook behind the ear of Mir. Thai clinch from Overeem and a knee to the body makes Mir spit. Overeem drops Mir with a knee to the head from the clinch and he is hanging on for dear life on the ground as Overeem pours it on. Overeem is pinning Mir’s hand behind his head big brother style. Mir eats a knee to the body but rises to his feet! Did Overeem gas again@!!?!? They split and back on the feet. Overeem looks fresh still, that cardio training has paid off. Mir comes in with a kick and a punch that are slow and miss. They clinch and Mir drops for a leglock but ends up on the bottom in half guard. Overeem drops two hammerfists and an elbow to the midsection. Round ends with Overeem on top but Mir survives. 10-9 Overeem.
Round 2- Straight left from Overeem snaps Mir’s head back. Leg kick from Mir and then another which is checked. Overeem catches a leg and throws Mir like a small child to the mat but backs off. Mir comes in with strikes that are slow again and miss. Overeem clinches and throws knees to the body against the fence. Ref separates them and back to the center. Overeem throws three big strikes which land. Mir runs in and scores a bumrush takedown. Overeem sitting up against the cage with Mir trying to stay on top. Mir briefly threatens with a guillotine but loses it and finds himself on the bottom with Overeem throwing strikes again. Overeem continues to work strikes on top in half guard. Mir is bloodied around his right eye in multiple places. Big left elbow from Overeem and Mir is getting beaten up. Mir gets full guard from the bottom and tries to use the cage to roll and reverse. Overeem stands up while Mir lays in guard. Ref stands them up and the round ends. 10-9 Overeem.
Round 3- Two high kicks miss from Mir. Mir tries for a takedown, runs into the brick wall of Overeem’s body and then pulls guard. Overeem does not want to play on the ground and stands up. Mir shoots for another takedown but again has to pull guard and ends up on the bottom in half guard eating some punches from Overeem. Two big left hands land from Overeem on top and Mir ties him up. Overeem working strikes to the head and body from guard. Overeem is laying a methodical beating on Mir and he stands up to force Mir to rise. Big straight right rocks Mir who looks longingly at the clock. Overeem begs Mir to swing at him but Mir just flails a weak kick and eats two more big strikes from Overeem as the right ends. 10-9 Overeem.
Alistair Overeem defeats Frank Mir via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Champ Jose Aldo vs. Ricardo Lamas
For some reason the heavier fight is not the headliner. Lamas is rocking a great mohawk mullet, may it give him the strength he needs because Aldo is the clear favorite and maybe the pound for pound best.
Round 1- Leg kick from Lamas and another. Head kick misses from Lamas. Aldo throwing lots of fakes and feeling Lamas out. Two minutes in and Aldo has thrown three strikes. More leg kicks from Lamas which Aldo is mostly checking. Two strikes and a kick from Aldo. Spinning kick to the body from Aldo. Jumping head kick from Lamas is blocked. Body kick from Lamas and he slips and Aldo pounces throwing head and body shots but no major damage. Lamas working more kicks, high and low, none landing. Right hand from Aldo to the head and rips another to the body. Two spinning kicks miss from Aldo. First round ends with Aldo throwing flying knee and punches. More missed than landed in that round, fortunately we’ve got four more if we need them! 10-9 Lamas.
Round 2- Aldo checks a leg kick and blocks a high kick. Lamas throws a slow wheel kick which also doesn’t land. Punch and low kick from Aldo, that hurt. Straight right from Aldo. Leg kick from Lamas doesn’t land fully, body punch from Aldo and two more. Good leg kick from Aldo, his are way more successful than Lamas’. Aldo clips Lamas with a left hand. Good leg kick from Aldo. Jabs and a leg kick from Aldo, he’s starting to turn it up. Another leg kick bends Lamas around. Wheel kick misses from Lamas. Lamas’ leg is starting to give out on the kicks. Wheel kick again from Lamas that is blocked followed by another that totally misses. 10-9 Aldo.
Round 3- Lamas comes out with a front kick and then a body kick. Leg kick from Aldo. Punch and a leg kick from Aldo. Aldo blocks a head kick and throws a leg kick. Aldo with more leg kicks and punches. Lamas tries for a single leg takedown but Aldo shrugs it off. Lamas with a head kick that was close, leg kick from Aldo, obviously. Front push kick frmo Lamas and Aldo drills him with a leg kick. Uppercut from Lamas and an overhand right from Aldo. Two jabs and a straight right from Aldo. Lamas misses with two headkicks. Body punch from Aldo and another leg kick. Lamas is still in the fight though, he’s taking it and pushing on, throwing strong strikes of his own. Right hand and leg kick from Lamas. Lamas got Aldo with a right. 10-9 Aldo.
Round 4- Aldo has tended to fade in the championship rounds, we’ll see how this goes. Lamas goes for a single leg takedown which Aldo defends as he backs against the cage. Lamas lifts Aldo into the air against the cage and Aldo just chills there in midair for awhile. Aldo reverses and puts Lamas against the cage. Aldo trips Lamas and takes him to the mat. Aldo on top in side control looking for an arm triangle. Aldo now in half guard. Lamas with butterfly guard and Aldo jumps over them and lands in mount. Lamas rolls and gives up his back. Aldo goes for a choke but can’t get it under the chin. Lamas gets to his feet and now shoots in on Aldo who has his back against the cage defending against Lamas. 10-9 Aldo.
Round 5- I think Lamas has to finish here to win. Lamas comes out aggressive with a flurry of body kicks. Lamas swings for the fences but misses and Aldo presses him against the cage. Aldo drags Lamas down against the cage and is in full guard. Aldo moves to side control and then mount. Lamas throws his hips and reverses Aldo. Lamas now on top in full guard. Lamas diving down with strikes but Aldo defending. Big elbow from Lamas and he wants it but Aldo is doing a good job of somewhat desperately tying him up. Lamas’ corner is screaming that he needs to finish and Lamas is pouring it on. Aldo ties him back up in full guard and is hanging on tight. A few final punches and elbows from Lamas as the round ends. 10-9 Lamas and I think Aldo will take it three rounds to two, but who am I?
Jose Aldo defeats Ricardo Lamas via unanimous decision (49-46 x3)
Aldo gives Lamas credit in his postfight interview as the humble champ retains the belt.
Champ Renan Barao vs. Urijah Faber
Faber has been on an absolute tear since his previous loss to Barao and he steps up on short notice for another crack at a title that has eluded him since earlier in his WEC days. Barao has been on a run of his own, dude hasn’t lost since 2005 in his first fight. Faber has lost his last 5 title fights and won everything else, he is still evolving and improving but you have to wonder at age 34 if he’ll get another shot if he loses tonight. My heart wants Faber, my head says Barao, it’s tough out here.
Round 1- Kicks and punches from both to start, nothing landing. Faber catches a leg and lands a left on Barao. Lots of kicks from Barao, nothing really landing so far. Body shot by Faber, he slips and briefly turtles up as Barao strikes. Faber stands up with a spinning back fist and he smiles at Barao. Body shot head shot combo from Faber and his striking looks good, thanks Duane Ludwig. Head kick blocked from Barao. Good leg kick by Barao. Barao floors Faber with a punch and dives in. Faber covering up for his life but he gets back to his feet! Barao hits Faber some more and he tries for a leg desperately. Barao drops Faber again and Faber goes flat on the canvas for a second before grabbing Barao’s leg again. Barao raining down punches as Faber covers up. Referee Herb Dean jumps in and stops the fight. Faber holds on in disbelief to Barao’s leg and tells Dean that he was fine and giving a thumbs up. It’s to no avail and the champ retains his belt.
Renan Barao defeats Urijah Faber via tko, round 1
From where I sit, on my couch, that was a bad stoppage. No one except Herb Dean is in the cage making those calls officially but we’re all entitled to our opinions. My opinion is that Faber should have been given every opportunity to stay in that fight and he was robbed of that. I bet Eddie Wineland agrees.
Faber stays classy in his interview but agrees the stoppage was early, obviously, and suggests that “a limp body” would be a better indicator to stop the fight. Rogan suggests that Chad Mendes, Faber’s teammate should get the next shot, Faber reminds Rogan that Mendes is a weight class above. ”I’m retarded,” muses Rogan, outsmarted by a guy who was on the verge of consciousness a minute ago. And on that note, have a good night.
UFC 169 features two title bouts, and the first one up for grabs is the UFC Featherweight Championship.
Jose Aldo is the longtime king of the division, and this will be his eighth title defense dating back to WEC. He is one of the pound-for-pound best …
UFC 169 features two title bouts, and the first one up for grabs is the UFC Featherweight Championship.
Jose Aldo is the longtime king of the division, and this will be his eighth title defense dating back to WEC. He is one of the pound-for-pound best on the planet, and Ricardo Lamas will be looking to shock to the world.
Lamas, ranked No. 2, is undefeated in the UFC with three stoppages. He is the underdog in this fight against one of the world’s best.
Bleacher Report will have full coverage of the 145-pound title tilt at UFC 169. Check back for updates.
In terms of skill, few people would argue placing UFC 169’s Jose Aldo near the top of the promotion’s heap of stars. The featherweight champion is gifted with vicious leg kicks and forceful boxing, to say nothing of his wrestling and jiu-jitsu—am…
In terms of skill, few people would argue placing UFC 169‘s Jose Aldo near the top of the promotion’s heap of stars. The featherweight champion is gifted with vicious leg kicks and forceful boxing, to say nothing of his wrestling and jiu-jitsu—among the most unheralded of any great in the sport.
But from the time he walked through the proverbial door to the UFC, championship belt already in hand, he’s left fans wanting more. He’s 5-0 in the UFC, 13-0 as a Zuffa commodity and hasn’t lost in eight years, but he’s been as unspectacularly spectacular as a man with his decoration can be.
Sure he finished Chad Mendes explosively in Brazil, but what else has he done in the UFC? Three decisions and a TKO win involving an injury isn’t the resume people expect from a pound-for-pound great. The competition is stiff, but he hasn’t been a world-beater in its face.
Other greats in the pound-for-pound discussion have all faced stiff competition and have all earned more convincing victories during their championship runs. Aldo wins, but given the talent that the world knows he has, it’s hard not to want more from him.
Saturday night in Newark, Ricardo Lamas presents the opportunity to give more.
Lamas, for all the respect he garners as a quiet workhorse, is not on Aldo’s level in terms of technique and skill. He’s a gritty, tireless worker with a far more varied skill set than people are perhaps crediting, but he simply is not Jose Aldo.
With that in mind, Aldo should use this opportunity to remind the world why it loved him so much to begin with. For the second straight year he’s serving as a big name on Super Saturday, one of the premiere events on the UFC calendar, and a big performance would serve that purpose.
He can’t head to the cage to win three rounds before gassing or coasting his way to hearing Bruce Buffer call his name. He can’t be content to rack up points with leg kicks and stuffed takedowns, throwing in the occasional jab to keep Lamas honest.
He has to approach the fight the way he did when rolling through seven stoppages in eight WEC appearances; with a focused ruthlessness that sees him exploit a weakness and prove how great he can be.
Lamas is the first guy Aldo has faced in quite some time that isn’t considered a big name at 145 pounds. He’s talented and he gets more out of what he has than anyone in the division, but the majority of people who will watch him at UFC 169 have seen him once, or not at all.
Talk of him winning the fight is tempered with conceptual discussion of what could happen, or how he might pull off the upset. Very few people are seeing him as the threat that Mendes, Frankie Edgar, or even Chan Sung Jung were (regardless of how accurate that sentiment may be).
Aldo needs to take that and run with it. Hit the cage and roll over Lamas in a way that reminds people how good he can be when he wants to be.
At a time when he might be leaving featherweight for a superfight with Anthony Pettis, he could use some hype beyond appearing in North America once a year to win a listless decision for himself.
UFC 169 is a chance to earn that hype. He just has to go out and do it.
Jose Aldo kicks hard, ladies and gentlemen. 
