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Following his 13 second knockout loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 194 last December, many UFC fans may have been expecting Jose Aldo to only have the Featherweight title back around his waist after prising it back from the Irishman inside the octagon.
Yet, following this weekend's ruling which saw 'The Notorious' stripped of his title, Aldo was handed his belt back due to the Irishman's failure to defend the strap in 11 months (not that that is necessarily McGregor's fault, it should be noted). And now he's been reacquainted with the strap, the Brazilian legend has some big plans.
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Speaking to SporTV's Planeta, Aldo discussed his Irish nemesis, claiming that McGregor's next two possible fights have to be against either himself or the number one contender to McGregor's lightweight crown, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Aldo meanwhile, is looking to make a defence of his newly returned title before stepping back into the cage with 'Notorious':
"I think both are very tough fights for him, either at lightweight with Khabib (Nurmagomedov) or a rematch with me. So he chose to let go of mine. It's no problem. Of course, first I want to do a (title) defense and then, yes, I will want to pursue a fight with (McGregor)."
Dana White - The only bloke in the world who can look more foolish than two blokes in their bills (Image: PA)
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Aldo has fought just once since his shock loss to McGregor, defeating Frankie Edgar by unanimous decision at UFC 200 in July. Despite his setback last December, 'Scarface' believes he is the rightful undisputed ruler of the Featherweight division:
"I think I've always been the champion, and I will always be the champion. As long as I'm at featherweight, no matter what happens, I'll keep being the champion. So this, for me, was something that was already certain. The minute I lost, I knew, the next day, the belt would be mine again. It was just a matter of time. Of course, (it was) not the way I wanted, but I'm happy because I know I'm the champion."
Whatever Aldo's plans, as long as they involve a rematch with McGregor, let's hope it lasts a lot longer than 13 seconds.
(H/T Low Kick MMA)