If Pettis recovers, Aldo to move up and challenge for lightweight title
“Sounds like we’ve got the fight,” said UFC president Dana White of Anthony Pettis vs. Jose Aldo. “One more thing I don’t have to do on Monday.”
Assuming UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis recovers from his knee injury on schedule, his return fight will be with UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who intends to move up a division.
Aldo will give up his current title when he moves up.
“He would vacate the title, move up to 155, fight for the title,” said White. “If he didn’t win the title at 155, he could go back and challenge for the 145-pound title if he wanted to.”
Pettis currently on track to be ready to fight in July.
I’ve been talking about that fight, said White post fight Saturday night. I like that fight. I like Jose at 155. I think the weight cut’s much easier for him. But again, I’m going to throw it back at him. At the end of the day, he’s the king at ’45. If he wants to move to ’55, I think it’s a huge fight with Pettis. It doesn’t suck.
Aldo accepted.
I’m ready,” said the Brazilian. “I’ve always been ready. I want that fight. Everybody wants the fight. If the fight was tonight, I’d fight him. So it’s up to the UFC and Dana.
The Pettis camp reached out to White and said they accept. So that – if Pettis’ knee recovers according to plan – is that.
Sounds like we’ve got the fight, said White. One more thing I don’t have to do on Monday.