On a 1-10 scale, how much do you sympathize with Jose Aldo’s frustration with his inability to secure a rematch against Conor McGregor, and why? The following is the first batch of responses from the MMATorch team.
JASON AMADI, MMATorch contributor
I’m probably a solid 6 on sympathy for Jose Aldo in this case. He was lied to by the UFC and it appears his opportunity to get revenge against Conor McGregor is fading away. On the other hand, he’s one of the worst drawing champions in UFC history and has done very little to change that over the years. The fact that a big money fight isn’t just falling into his lap should come as a surprise to no one, including him.
Once it was announced that his fight with Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 was to determine an Interim Featherweight Champion and that the winner was scheduled to face Conor McGregor, I knew then that short of a brutal stoppage, Jose Aldo wasn’t getting a rematch. It just isn’t an attractive matchup for McGregor. Aldo is an all-time great who McGregor flattened in 13 seconds. He didn’t do much to create a buzz for a rematch and it’s not really all that surprising he’s not getting one.
ROBERT VALEJOS, MMATorch contributor
10! While I understand the rationale of the UFC, I absolutely empathize with Aldo. Going a decade without a loss and being the godfather of a division, he has been rendered meaningless. In a sport where everyone is eventually toppled, Aldo’s 13 second loss to McGregor has had a disproportionate amount of consequence. Dana White continues to proclaim Ronda Rousey’s right to a title shot upon her return. If the same allowances are not afforded to Aldo, the promotion should be more transparent with their reasoning.
MATTHEW PETERSON, MMATorch contributor
I guess I’d rate it at a 5. The UFC has done Jose Aldo wrong by letting Conor McGregor run amok and fight in any division he pleases, but some of the blame does lie with Aldo. Fans love the fights, but the UFC is a business run on profit. The issue with that lies in that McGregor is the biggest money-maker they have and Aldo is not. Aldo has dropped out of too many big fights due to injury and, in doing so, hasn’t put himself out to the masses who buy PPVs. He remains the no. 2 best featherweight in the world, but a 13 second KO loss to the champ doesn’t inspire much faith in the rematch. Aldo has every right to be upset at his treatment, but the UFC needs the almighty dollar and it’s not coming from Jose.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch contributor
I’d say it starts at about a 8. He deserves a rematch. However, this is nothing new. Guys get jerked around all the time by the UFC. Aldo should be fighting Conor McGregor next, but the UFC wants to make a bunch of money. It’s that simple. The only other thing I want to add is that I’ve heard some people bringing up the fact that Aldo lost to McGregor in 13 seconds as the reason why Aldo shouldn’t get a rematch. The thing is, that’s exactly why he should get a rematch. 13 seconds is a flash KO. McGregor caught Aldo coming in and dropped him on his face. It was a great punch and win, but it was also out of nowhere. There’s every reason to believe that that wouldn’t happen again. McGregor very well could beat Aldo again, but not in 13 seconds. Another reason Aldo deserves a rematch is that he was undefeated for ten years. Doesn’t that count for something? Ronda Rousey was supposed to get an immediate rematch upon her return, and she got dominated pretty well by Holly Holm. Renan Barao got a rematch after losing to T.J. Dillashaw because of his track record and having beaten one opponent. Well, Aldo also has an impressive track record and just beat Frankie Edgar, one of the better fighters in the UFC.
All this said, my feeling drop all the way to a 2 with all this talking coming from Aldo about wanting to retire, wanting his UFC release, etc. Just about everyone has gotten screwed and jerked around by the UFC. It sucks, but any workplace is like that. You just deal with it, or try to use it to your advantage and turn it into a slogan. The reason the UFC didn’t give Aldo his shot is that there’s no extra money in it. McGregor is going to account for his money, what he brings to the table, and they wanted to match him against someone who’s going to bring some spice to the matchup. There’s no pop with Aldo. UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez doesn’t bring much pop to the table himself, but he’s the champion, so that helps sell itself. A Champion vs. Champion fight is rare and can thus be promoted as a huge event. MMA is a sport, but it’s also entertainment.
NOW CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS ROUNDTABLE: ROUNDTABLE (Batch 3): Who has more to lose on Saturday at UFC 204, Michael Bisping or Dan Henderson?
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