Jose Aldo Hoping For #1 Contender Bout With T.J. Dillashaw: “Dillashaw Is The Focus”

Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo wants to continue his ascension up the bantamweight rankings and wants a number one contender bout with former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw.

Aldo spoke with MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz and said he’s hoping for a December return to the Octagon, hopefully against Dillashaw. The Brazilian MMA icon is 2-2 since dropping to 135-pounds and is riding a two-fight winning streak currently, most recently defeating Pedro Munhoz via a unanimous decision at UFC 265. 

“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. If it’s early next year, I can wait too. I’ll leave that up to ‘Dede’ [coach Andre Pederneiras] to deal with. I want to fight by December or January, tops. With another great fight and win, we can get closer to the belt.”

VINTAGE Jose Aldo letting it go in the final seconds —

[ @JoseAldoJunior #UFC265 ] pic.twitter.com/21CvItbRiI

— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2021

He continued on to also give his feelings on a potential matchup with another former UFC bantamweight champion in Dominick Cruz, a matchup he doesn’t seem all that interested in currently.

“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. There’s no reason why I’ll stop and do a fight that will take me nowhere. It’s more likely for me to fight Rob Font than Dominick Cruz.”

Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, lists, news updates, and predictions.