After beating F. Edgar. (left), Aldo has a new challenge against a fighter coming up from lightweight. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
UFC featherweight champion José Aldo will put the belt on the line at UFC 163, in August. For the second time in a row, the challenger comes from the top category who has never fought as a featherweight.
Aldo will face Anthony Pettis, who had already won the right to challenge the champion of his home category, lightweight. The Brazilian said he likes the challenge of facing opponents from the top division, despite thinking that his category already has enough challengers.
“I think it could be a valid thing, but not when someone comes down from the top division to immediately challenge the champion,” Aldo told MMAjunkie. “There are already several challengers in my category. If someone simply arrives and challenges the belt, they will be jumping the queue. Everyone sees that.”
Although he doesn't think it's fair to his natural competitors, Aldo said he can follow the same path.
“I don’t think it’s fair. If you're going to move down a weight class, you should prove yourself by having great fights at the new weight and then earn the right to fight for the belt. But the fight is already scheduled, so I'm going to win it. But if everyone is jumping the queue, I want it too. I would love to move up to lightweight and get an immediate title shot. I accepted the fight with Pettis with this thought”, he concluded.
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