Aldo and Pettis in a promotional photo for the duel that would take place at UFC Rio 4. Photo: Disclosure UFC Brasil
After saying at the UFC 169 press conference that a fight between José Aldo e Anthony Pettis was already taken for granted, the president of Ultimate Dana White is already starting to design the scenario for the confrontation. In an interview with the “FOX Sports Live” program on North American TV, the manager stated that the duel would take place in the lightweight category, with a weight limit of up to 70 kg.
“I think Aldo was worried, when he moved up to lightweight and fought Pettis leaving the featherweight belt vacant, whether he would still be treated like a champion in this fight. I guarantee it will be. Everything he wins as featherweight champion he will gain in the lightweight title fight. I think this part of the problem has already been resolved. What's more: if Aldo moves up to lightweight and loses the fight, he will be able to move down to featherweight and fight for the belt against the new champion,” said the director.
With the guarantee that Aldo could return to featherweight fighting for the belt against a new champion, in case of defeat to Pettis, Dana took the opportunity to reveal his plans for a hypothetical fight for the vacant title. “It would probably be a fight between Cub swanson e Chad Mendes. It's a duel that makes sense right now. I'm not announcing the fight, I just think it's the most logical fight for a vacant featherweight belt. Regarding Aldo, I don't think there is any disagreement regarding weight. He will fight Pettis for the lightweight belt, leaving the featherweight belt vacant,” he concluded.
Undefeated since November 2005, José Aldo He has a record of 24 wins and just one loss as a professional. The 27-year-old Manauara is a former champion of the extinct World Extreme Cagefighting and the only featherweight champion in the history of Ultimate, as he was promoted to the position after the acquisition of the WEC by the UFC. Already Anthony Pettis has a record of 17 wins and two losses. Currently, the lightweight belt holder is recovering from knee surgery and is expected to be out of action for at least the first half of 2014.
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