WikimediaJose Aldo has spoken out about why he did not want to replace Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 196.
RDA withdrew from his lightweight title match at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, after suffering a broken metatarsal during his pre-fight training camp.
The Brazilian’s absence opened the door for Jose Aldo to potentially avenge his crushing 13 second defeat to McGregor in December, but the former featherweight champ was not prepared to step in.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour Aldo said that he was not ready to fight at such short notice having only just been medically cleared to train.
He said via a translator:
Any professional needs time to train. It’s not a cockfight where I go there and put my rooster to fight. It’s a high-level sport, I’m going there to do my job. When I have time to train, it can happen at any time, anywhere.
Aldo also made it very clear that anything other than a shot at the featherweight belt will not be considered for his next fight.
He said:
I can’t speak for others, and I don’t care what they say. I know I deserve an immediate rematch.
People who say I don’t, I don’t care about them. The important thing is what the UFC thinks and what we think. We came to the conclusion that we’re having an immediate rematch.
If McGregor is successful against Nate Diaz on Saturday ‘The Notorious’ will have proven himself at 170lbs and may legitimately want to take on Robbie Lawler at UFC 200, but RDA will be fit again, and Aldo is also demanding a title shot.
I don’t envy Dana White at all.
Elsewhere, BT Sport have released their preview video for the McGregor vs Diaz fight:
IT’S FIGHT WEEK! #UFC196 https://t.co/XrpJsxFY85
— #UFC196 (@btsportufc) March 1, 2016
Only 4 more sleeps (and one necessary power nap on Saturday)!
