‘I Want To Climb Step-By-Step’: Former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo Talks About His Future

Jose Aldo is ready to wait until early 2022 to face former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw.

Aldo, also an ex-UFC champion, said right after earning a stellar victory against Pedro Munhoz, he wants Dillashaw in the octagon next.

“I want to climb step-by-step,” Aldo said. “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,” he continued. “… I want to fight by December or January, tops. With another great fight and win, we can get closer to the belt.”

Dillashaw is currently recovering from a knee surgery that resulted from his win over Cory Sandhagen.

But one fighter he’s not interested in fighting is former bantamweight champion and one of the best bantamweight fighters, Dominick Cruz. He said that fighting with Rob Font makes more sense for him than fighting with Cruz.

“I heard some reporters talking about this fight [with Cruz] but I think we’re both going different directions,” Aldo said. “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.”

Aldo made his bantamweight debut against Marlon Moraes and suffered a narrow defeat. Still, he earned his title shot for the vacant title against Petr Yan, but lost in the fifth round via TKO.

After losing his opportunity to win another title, he fought twice and added wins to his resume.
He also talked about the bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and Yan and said he could not name a favorite in that bout. But whoever wins the title makes no sense for Aldo because he believes he is ready to beat anyone.

“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 [of who’s the champion],” he said.