The co-main event of UFC 169 saw featherweight champion Jose Aldo (24-1) pick up his sixth title defense with a unanimous decision win over Ricardo Lamas (13-3). Aldo remains undefeated in his 6 UFC fights. Lamas had never been beaten in his four prior fights with the promotion.
From the opening bell, Aldo proved he was a class above Lamas. He punished him with powerful combinations highlighted by repeated leg kicks. He shrugged off any takedown attempts and made Lamas look ineffective through the first 20 minutes. Lamas did have some success in the final round, but it was too little, too late.
What was the high point of the fight?
A solid performance from Aldo, but lacked any big highlight reel moments.
Where do they go from here?
At the post-fight press conference Dana White said a move to lightweight and a title fight against Anthony Pettis would be the next step for Aldo. Pettis has already said he plans to return in July or August, so expect to see this one main event a mid-summer PPV. Or, equally likely, expect either Aldo or Pettis to pull out of the fight due to injury.
Lamas has more than proven himself at 145 lbs. If Aldo does vacate the title, Ricardo will only be a fight or two away from contending again. For now, I wouldn’t mind seeing him against someone like Jeremy Stephens who just entered the division’s top 10.
Watch it now, later, or never?
I’d hold off on this one. Not a bad fight, but nothing that deserves immediate attention.