Jose Aldo has admitted he couldn’t care less about winning the interim belt.
The former UFC featherweight champion is scheduled to fight former lightweight king Frankie Edgar at UFC 200. However, with Conor McGregor booked for a welterweight do-over against Nate Diaz in the main event, the featherweight scrap, the prize up for grabs is just an interim strap.
Aldo revealed in media scrum in Rio de Janeiro that he feels a little weird about slugging it out for an interim belt when the champion is competing at a different weight class on the same card. (Quotes via MMA Fighting)
“He will be fighting at the same night in a different division, in a rematch that means nothing, We asked for a rematch. For everything I’ve done, all the years as champion, I deserved a rematch, but what can I do? I had to accept.”
“We’re not the ones making the call. We’ll go there and win. I respect Frankie Edgar, but it’s our first step towards the belt.”
Scarface voiced his frustration over the stakes for the clash against the Answer, explaining that he thought the actual belt would be on the line. As far as he’s concerned, the interim strap is of little importance to him.
“It’s a bit frustrating, of course, because we expected the title fight, but it’s kind of what they said they would do, that we would fight Frankie Edgar for the belt, but it’s not the undisputed belt. But what can I do? We’re hired to go there and fight.”
“It means nothing. I want the victory so I get the belt next. That’s the first step we’re taking. Interim belt is made for media and fans, not for me. I want the undisputed belt. I respect Frankie Edgar, but I’ll get there and win. This lit that fire again, this desire to go there and win.”
UFC 200 will mark the second time Aldo and Edgar have thrown down inside the Octagon. Before UFC 194, the New Jersey native arguably came the closest fighter to dethroning Aldo’s 145 lb throne in the UFC, taking him the distance in a violent chess match at UFC 156.
