Jose Aldo Says Conor McGregor ‘Has To Defend’ His Title Soon Or Should Be Stripped

The rivalry between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor may, for the most part, have been and gone, but the Brazilian still isn’t short of a word or two about the Irishman.

Next Saturday, Aldo will get the opportunity to recapture the 145-pounds title when he faces Max Holloway at UFC 218. The Brazilian is stepping up to the plate on just a few weeks notice following an injury to Holloway’s originally scheduled opponent, Frankie Edgar.

Fight week will be getting in full swing tomorrow when fighters, media and fans descend on Detroit. Speaking in Brazil ahead of his departure, Aldo spoke to reporters at a media day about the lightweight title picture.

With champion Conor McGregor not having fought in nearly 13-months, and with interim champion Tony Ferguson still waiting to hear whether he will get a shot at unifying the titles, Aldo said he was relieved to not be involved in it all.

“Thank God my division is moving,” Aldo told reporters (h/t MMAFighting). “It would be bad if it was stuck, but my division is moving. It’s hard, right? Every athlete dreams of becoming champion, fighting for the title, and the guy is holding up the division.

“But it’s up to the UFC to make the decisions. The UFC needs to do what has to be done: you take the belt away or make him defend it. I think everyone is waiting for that.”

Should the fight with McGregor and Ferguson go ahead, Aldo thinks there’s a great chance that “El Cucuy” leaves with the unified title.

“Yes, this time is coming,” Aldo said, “He has to defend it, has to put his belt on the line in order to become champion. He only won the title.

“For me, Ferguson has great possibilities of becoming champion in the future.”