Jose Aldo already sees himself as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and wants to achieve more. The UFC Featherweight champion, the one and only so far since his division has been introduced in the UFC, plans to keep his belt for a long period and retire holding it. Interviewed by Combate.com, he says that wants to be in the number one spot of P4P rankings of MMA history when hang up his gloves.
“I’m sure that I’m on of the best of all time. I don’t see where am I yet. When I stop, I want to be the greatest of all. I still seek some achievements. I’m the only UFC 145-pound champion in history and I want to keep that way until I retire. I also want to break all the UFC records in a way that my name will be printed forever.”
Aldo is still considering a move to Lightweight division but says that it’s a UFC call.
“For me it would be a dream (fighting Anthony Pettis for the LW belt) but it’s a decision that the UFC has to make and I’ll accept any opponent. There is a russian already in the line (Khabib Nurmagomedov) and he deserves the shot. I’m a patient guy and would be happy if the UFC decides for that. Otherwise I’ll keep fighting at Featherweight division”.
About his style of fighting, Aldo says that playing just safe or offensive always depends on his opponent’s attitude.
“My fight with Ricardo Lamas was going in my way, so there was no point to take risks. I have a lot to lose. I always play with the rules. If it’s not required and I know that I’m winning, I’ll keep going like that until the end. Chad Mendes came aggressive against me and had a good performance, then I was able show my potential.”
Although he had called Conor McGregor a clown, Aldo says he’s open to fighting the Irishman or whoever the UFC decides.
“I think it’s great for the Featherweight division having Mcgregor. The division was on hold, when a guy like this emerges it’s good for everybody, because the selling grows. As a fighter, I haven’t studied his game yet, I just hear people talking. When they schedule this fight, I’ll study him, then I’ll be able to speak. The division is in a mix right now and it’s good. I’ll face anyone that the UFC put against me and I’ll win.”
“The Scarface” is on vacation in Rio de Janeiro after beating Chad Mendes by unanimous decision on October 25, at the main event of UFC 179. Aldo is now three successful title defenses away of tying the record from Anderson Silva, who defended the Middleweight belt ten times between October of 2006 and July of 2013.
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