Jose Aldo isn’t budging. The former long-reigning featherweight champion requested to leave the UFC following the announcement of Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor at UFC 205 in New York.
‘Scarface’ says the Alvarez-McGregor matchup had nothing to do with his decision and claims he hasn’t been happy with the way the UFC have treated him for a long time.
“My dissatisfaction has been brewing for a long time,” Aldo said in a recent interview with Yahoo Sports. “Before my loss to McGregor when I had to pull out of our first fight, I was not happy with the way the UFC spun my rib injury.”
Aldo is considered one of the most respected athletes in the sport and recently beat Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 to capture the interim featherweight title. The Brazilian lost the official championship to McGregor at UFC 194 in December of last year.
Speaking to SporTV yesterday, Aldo said that even a rematch with ‘The Notorious’ wouldn’t change his mind and says he must follow his path.
“No. Not even that because that would be the right thing to happen,” Aldo said, per Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. “This fight is the fight that should happen next in the featherweight division. I conquered that [right] ever since I entered the UFC. I saw other champions losing and fighting right away for the belt. That was the right thing.
“I didn’t fight for the belt. They made me fight for the interim title, I went there and won, and still have no definition whatsoever. To me, not even a fight with McGregor… It’s not about him being fighting now or not. I don’t care where he’s going. I want to follow my path. Today, the right is me getting released from the contract.”
Aldo has hinted at retiring from MMA altogether and promises not to sign with any other promotions.
“It’s hard for me. If there’s something good [the UFC can do] is release me,” he said. “I don’t want to fight for other promotion. I’m at the level above. There’s no reason why leave the first division to fight at the second division when I’m well appreciated in the first division, it would mean taking a step back. I don’t want to fight for other promotion. I want to follow my way in a different sport, do new things. I’m a young guy, and I want to enjoy that side, too.”
Despite his criticisms of Dana White, Aldo says he has no hard feelings towards the UFC president.
“A good thing would be if they release me without a fight. I’m not mad at the UFC or no one else. I like Dana, I have a special love for Lorenzo [Fertitta], a guy that always treated me well since I got to the UFC. If there’s something good from this, I hope they release me so I can follow my way and the UFC follows its way.”
Although Aldo has requested to terminate his UFC contract, no official announcement has been made. Bloody Elbow will provide you with all the latest news on the matter.
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