Jose Aldo on UFC interim title: “It means nothing”

Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will once again have the opportunity to wear UFC gold, this if he is able to defeat former lightweight title holder Frankie Edgar for a second time when the pair square off for the UFC’s interim featherweight title at UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas.

Aldo was not happy when he learned that the UFC had booked current featherweight champion Conor McGregor to fight Nate Diaz in a rematch that “means nothing” at the same event (UFC 200). His words to MMAFighting‘s Guilherme Cruz:

“He will be fighting at the same night in a different division, in a rematch that means nothing,” Aldo said during a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro. “We asked for a rematch. For everything I’ve done, all the years as champion, I deserved a rematch, but what can I do? I had to accept. We’re not the ones making the call. We’ll go there and win. I respect Frankie Edgar, but it’s our first step towards the belt.

“It’s a bit frustrating, of course, because we expected the title fight, but it’s kind of what they said they would do, that we would fight Frankie Edgar for the belt, but it’s not the undisputed belt. But what can I do? We’re hired to go there and fight.”

When McGregor and Chad Mendes fought for an interim title at UFC 189 this past July, Aldo made fun of the belt both before and after the event. His opinion on interim titles has not changed leading up to UFC 200:

“It means nothing,” Aldo said. “I want the victory so I get the belt next. That’s the first step we’re taking. Interim belt is made for media and fans, not for me. I want the undisputed belt. I respect Frankie Edgar, but I’ll get there and win. This lit that fire again, this desire to go there and win.”

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