November 2, 2024

Jose Aldo rules out moving up to lightweight, says Max Holloway, not Conor McGregor, is the true champion

Days away from competing in jiu-jitsu for the first time in more than a decade, Jose Aldo is already making plans for his return to the Octagon.

The former two-time UFC featherweight champion, who lost his belt to Max Holloway in June, says he is not targeting the UFC title right now, since he expects his former foe Frankie Edgar to be the next in line against Holloway.

“No doubt that Edgar is (the next title contender). Their fight will be in November. I know Edgar will be the next challenger,” Aldo told Ag. Fight. “I’m not thinking about being champion (in the short term), the game has restarted. I have to start over, with my head focused on the next opponent, and (continue) like that until I fight for the belt again. That’s what I have in mind.”

Aldo says his team is already discussing his next fight, but is not ready to make an announcement. The only think he’s ready to confirm is that he’s not considering a move to the lightweight division.

“We’re already talking, I’m back to training,” he said. “I’m waiting for my time to come back to fighting, but I can’t say anything until it’s done. I’ll fight at featherweight, there’s no reason to move up to lightweight. That division is not moving, nobody knows what will happen there. I’m a featherweight. … I’ll fight in December, at most, but if I can fight earlier, in November…”

With Holloway holding the belt that once belong to him, Aldo sees the Hawaiian talent as the true champion of the division, despite the fact that both lost to Conor McGregor in the past. “The Notorious”, who moved up to lightweight to win a second title after defeating Aldo in 2015, is now set to face Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match on Aug. 26.

“He’s the true champion, has his first title defense coming,” Aldo said of Holloway. “McGregor was never a champion of anything. He defeated the champion and left. A real champion has to defend (the belt). I speak for Holloway because, win or lose (against Edgar), he will be there fighting. I’m happy that Holloway is the champion. An example, someone who deserved being where he is.”

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