Jose
Aldo can see the finish line for his MMA career, but he still
has championship aspirations before that day arrives.
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Considered by many as the best featherweight of all time, Aldo
admitted in an interview with
Combate that he is very close fulfilling a promise that he made
to Nova Unaio coach Andre
Pederneiras that he would retire by age 35 after winning two
UFC belts.
“In the beginning I told Dedé that at 35 I would be champion and I
would retire,” Aldo said. “That’s why I say it’s very close to my
retirement, but I said I would come out as champion. So, you can
put Merab [Dvalishvili], who is a tough guy, well ranked and nobody
wants to fight, and I’m going to beat him, and then I’m going to
win the title, because it was already written.”
Aldo is slated to face Dvalishvili in a pivotal bantamweight bout
at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug 20. Aldo believes his
experience will make the difference in that fight.
“I always say that the best defense always takes advantage of the
attack,” Aldo says. “And that’s [how I answer his biggest
strength.] I see this fight going very smoothly, because what he’s
going to [attempt to do] to me I’ve been used to doing for years,
and even with my eyes closed I can [respond].
“When I start [pressuring], I know he’s going to try to do what he
knows how to do best, and that’s when I’m going to do even
better.”
Aldo also pointed to Aljamain
Sterling as a clear favorite in his expected title defense
against T.J.
Dillashaw. The Nova Uniao standout was not surprised to see
Sterling emerge victorious from his rematch with Petr Yan
earlier this year.
“I knew he would win the second fight against Petr Yan and
then we would fight. It’s going to happen, and it’s also a fight
where his best is my best,” Also said. “I fought for years and I’m
used to his style. And that’s why I say I will be the champion. I
already have everything that is going to happen in my mind and I
know that I will win.”