Former featherweight champion and rising bantamweight threat Jose Aldo has rejected a potential bout with Dominick Cruz, instead calling for former bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw.
In an interview with MMAFighting.com, Aldo explained his journey through the bantamweight division and why he wants Dillashaw.
Jose Aldo Rejects Cruz, Calls out TJ Dillashaw for No.1 Contender Fight
“I want to climb step-by-step. I may have bitten off more than I could chew [early in my bantamweight run] but it happens, you aim big and hit big.
But it’s different now, we’re going step-by-step, adapting to the division. After this great fight, I want to put on another great performance by December.
Dillashaw is the focus. If it’s early next year, I can wait too. I’ll leave that up to ‘Dede’ [coach Andre Pederneiras] to deal with. I want to fight by December or January, tops. With another great fight and win, we can get closer to the belt.”
Aldo explained why he’s uninterested in fighting another former champion, Dominick Cruz. “He’s more dedicated to [UFC] broadcasts than his own fighting career. I don’t think about fighting Dominick today. I respect him, I also like him for the fact he’s one of the greatest bantamweight champions, but right now I’m heading towards the title. There’s no reason why I’ll stop and do a fight that will take me nowhere.”
Jose Aldo is focused on the title itself, not who holds it. Yan, Sterling, or TJ Dillashaw, it doesn’t matter. “Right now, the moment we’re going through, we’ll earn it.
It’s not hard, especially because Petr and Sterling, whoever has the belt, my name will always be way bigger and draw way more attention. But it’s a whole other story now, right?
We’re doing our homework, preparing right, winning fights step-by-step and earning a title shot. There’s no reason why it wouldn’t happen. It doesn’t matter. I’ve earned it, I’m beating everyone.
And I want to win and leave no doubt that it’s not due to my name or the fact that I’m the greatest featherweight champion.
I’ll earn it through my merits and achievements and the wins I’ll get. I know I’ll be the next challenger when I win my next fight regardless.”
Aldo seems to think that TJ Dillashaw is a far tougher prospect than either Yan or Sterling. “Whoever that is, Sterling or Petr, there’s no problem.
Either one of them being the champion today still won’t be bigger than me. Everybody sees a win for Petr in the next fight, but him losing to me and Dillashaw.”
If Aldo faces Dillashaw, who will win? Let us know in the comments.
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