MMA

Jose Aldo Demands UFC Release, Other Promotions Already Calling

MMA


The UFC made a massive announcement on Monday when they broke the news that Conor McGregor’s next fight was coming opposite UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and while lots of folks (including us here at Fight State) are STOKED about it…it still sucks for everyone that isn’t getting that money fight with McGregor. Foremost among that lot is Jose Aldo.




But if you think Aldo is going to take that lying down, well, you’re wrong. The longtime featherweight champion and GOAT contender told Brazilian news outlet Combate on Tuesday that he was demanding his UFC release due to his frustration with the company and their refusal to offer him a rematch with Conor McGregor.

Jose Aldo's loss to Conor McGregor is one of the most career-destroying losses ever seen before in MMA. Photo by Sherdog.

Jose Aldo’s loss to Conor McGregor is one of the most career-destroying losses ever seen before in MMA. Photo by Sherdog.

He clarified his stance in another interview with Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole, saying the following:

“First of all, my dissatisfaction is not about not getting this fight with Conor McGregor. My dissatisfaction has been brewing for a long time. Before my loss to McGregor when I had to pull out of our first fight [scheduled for UFC 189 in July], I was not happy with the way the UFC spun my rib injury. I was not happy to see them mischaracterize my injury and not support me as I had to pull out of that fight.”

His coach, Andre Pederneiras, added:

“It’s not just one thing or two things or three things with the UFC. If on the one hand you take the level of disrespect that is embodied in things like giving him leftover fights on nine days’ notice and calling him a chicken when he says no; promising an instant rematch [with McGregor] and not making it happen and making it contingent on a fight with Frankie Edgar and then still not making it happen; the overall level of disrespect is so great”

"WHAT A GOOF! ALDO FEELS DISRESPECTED JUST BECAUSE WE ACTIVELY ATTACKED HIM AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY?!" --Dana White, Probably

“WHAT A GOOF! ALDO FEELS DISRESPECTED JUST BECAUSE WE ACTIVELY ATTACKED HIM AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY?!” –Dana White, Probably

While Jose Aldo insisted to Yahoo that he isn’t actually looking to compete elsewhere, that hasn’t stopped a number of other competitors from courting him on the hope that the UFC actually lets him walk. Included in that group is former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Freire, who tweeted out the following:

There’s also MMA legend Wanderlei Silva. The insane Brazilian, while not a hypothetical opponent for Aldo (Wandy is fighting at heavyweight right now, while Aldo is still looking to fight at 145), still wants him to come over to join Rizin FF in Japan:

“Aldo, come to Japan with me. Let’s fight at Rizin. This promotion you’re trying to leave also took my desire to compete away from me. I know what you’re going through. But in Japan I’m treated as the samurai and champion I am and having the respect I deserve, and that’s the respect you deserve as well.”

Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor

Conor vs. Aldo 2 may not happen anytime soon, but the UFC still won’t let him walk. Photo by Sherdog.

There’s no way that Aldo won’t be able to do this without a lengthy court battle, however, and the UFC has a lot more money to spend on lawyers than Aldo does. Hopefully the featherweight champ can come to a good resolution on this…and hopefully doesn’t actually retire.


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