UFC President Dana White surprised everyone when he said Anthony Pettis would likely be the next challenger in UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo’s next fight. The Octagon wasn’t even torn down at UFC 156 when Pettis texted White saying he wanted the tilt. White liked the idea so much that he brought it up at the post fight press conference. Aldo smiled and agreed, stating he would fight anyone the UFC put in front of them. According to White, Aldo is changing his tune.
“How about this, Jose Aldo is refusing to fight Anthony Pettis,” White blurted out at the press scrum following UFC 157: Rousey Vs Carmouche. “Aldo’s coach is saying they don’t think he deserves to be fighting for the title. He says ‘just because he is the number one contender at 155, doesn’t mean he is the number one contender at 145?’ Is he out of his f*cking mind?”
White continued, “If Aldo went up to 155, he would be the number one contender at lightweight, but it doesn’t work the other way? Right now, he is absolutely refusing to fight Anthony Pettis.”
So how will this play out for Aldo?
“The battle begins. Jose Aldo is fighting Anthony Pettis, or he isn’t going to like the way this plays out for him,” White concluded.
Jose Aldo Agrees to Defend Title Against Anthony Pettis
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Didn’t Aldo fight Frankie Edgar, who was the number one contender to the Bendo’s title? I just don’t get the logic…..
Aldo is scared. Dana White made a great point. If Aldo moved to 155 and was given a title shot, he likely wouldn’t complain and be all smiles.
If you are the champ, you fight who they put in front of you that can make the weight. Pettis is a former champion and very worthy contender. Many people want to see and pay for the fight, so it’s good business sense for the UFC.
If Aldo is that scared, he can leave the UFC and fight elsewhere.