The current relationship between current UFC Interim Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo and the UFC is strenuous, to say the least.
Aldo’s longtime coach, Andre Pederneiras recently spoke with Combate and he claimed that the promotion is forcing the interim featherweight champion to fight.
“Aldo wants to do the other things, but in the conversations we had (with the UFC), it became clear that they’re not going to let him do that,” Pederneiras said. “There’s nothing we can do. We have to fight.”
Assuming that Aldo does step back into the Octagon at some point in the future, it will not be happening until the bout between Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis at UFC 206 or current UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor’s future plans are revealed.
“I don’t know what Conor’s decision will be, but I think between February and March will be a good date,” Pederneiras said. “…If he goes back to fight, he will only fight to unify the title, independent of who it’s against. Aldo will accept no other fight unless it’s to unify the title.”
Aldo has not fought since capturing the UFC Interim Featherweight Title, which he won by defeating Frankie Edgar in a rematch at UFC 200 this past July.
