Jose Aldo On Bantamweight Title Shot: “I Deserve To Be Here”

Jose AldoFormer UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has hit back at critics who questioned his bantamweight title shot at UFC251. Speaking during his virtual media day interview Aldo told MMA Junkie that he believes he won his bantamweight debut and deserves to be in this title fight. “I’m not worried about that, I won that fight. […]

Jose Aldo

Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has hit back at critics who questioned his bantamweight title shot at UFC251.

Speaking during his virtual media day interview Aldo told MMA Junkie that he believes he won his bantamweight debut and deserves to be in this title fight.

“I’m not worried about that, I won that fight. Even the judges afterward said they agree with me. I beat Marlon, who’s the No. 1 contender, so it doesn’t bother me at all. I deserve to be here.”

Following this, the long time reigning featherweight champion shared that being a two-division champion is something that has been on his mind for some time.

“It was always a dream of mine to be a champ in two different divisions,” Aldo said. “At first, I thought I was going to have to go up to lightweight, but now I’m down to bantamweight. I really do think one day when I stop fighting I’m going to be able to look back and see everything that I did.”

Aldo takes on rising bantamweight star Petr Yan for the vacant title at UFC 251. Originally Aldo was scheduled to face Henry Cejudo for this title at UFC249 however, due to travel restrictions he was unable to take part in this matchup, which saw Dominick Cruz return to take his place.

After his victory over Cruz, Cejudo announced his retirement which immediately saw eyes turn to Yan and Aldo as the two contenders facing off for the vacant title.

Upon his Bantamweight debut, there were critics that didn’t believe Aldo would be able to make the cut to 135 pounds, however, Aldo was able to do it in that fight and told Sherdog he believes he is absolutely able to continue doing so.

“I’m feeling better than ever,” Aldo said. “I adapted my body again and that changed my whole life for the better. And I’m talking not only about professional life but also my personal life. Today I’m a new Aldo who has a much better life. You can bet I’m much stronger and faster than anyone in that division in the UFC.”

UFC Releases Testing Plan For Fight Island

Fight IslandAhead of its events on Fight Island (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi) in July the UFC has sent out a flow chart to fighters and their teams instructing them of the correct protocol during their journey to and from the island. The flow chart details what will haven beginning with COVID-19 testing 48 hours before departure. […]

Fight Island

Ahead of its events on Fight Island (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi) in July the UFC has sent out a flow chart to fighters and their teams instructing them of the correct protocol during their journey to and from the island.

The flow chart details what will haven beginning with COVID-19 testing 48 hours before departure. From there fighters and their teams will arrive at Abu Dhabi Airports VIP terminal and receive a second round of testing.

Once the second round of testing is complete the individuals will make their way to the fighter hotel, checking in and remaining quarantined inside their rooms until their test results are back.

After this, the fighters will receive a third COVID-19 test and be made to quarantine in their rooms again until the results are back before visiting Yas Island’s attraction training and entertainment venue.

Individuals will all go through pre-event testing before the live event and a final test before they leave Yas Island. After this, they will be escorted to the airport to return home.

This plan has been implemented as a way to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for people that are part of these events.

Recently with the UFC making its initial return in Florida, they faced criticism for not only being the first sport to return during this time but also for employees not all following protocol and wearing protective face masks.

Fight Island is set to hold four events starting on July 11th with the final event being held on July 25th

The first event on the island is UFC 251 that will see three championship belts on the line with matchups including Kamaru Usman vs Gilbert Burns, Alexander Volkanovski vs Max Holloway, and the vacant bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Jose Aldo.

Are you excited for Fight Island?