Aldo: If I continue in MMA, I want to see money

On Wednesday former UFC featherweight Jose Aldo and his manager and his attorney will speak with UFC president Dana White about Aldo’s desire to leave the UFC. Aldo is so adamant he says he will throw a fight if necessary. White says he is being a little ridiculous.

Aldo lost his title to Conor McGregor in 13 seconds and wanted an immediate rematch. That was not granted; instead, McGegor challenged for the lightweight title vs. then champion Rafael dos Anjos, who got hurt and was replaced by Nate Diaz. Notorious ended up doing that one twice.

In the meantime, Aldo fought Frankie Edgar for the interim featherweight title, with the understanding that he would finally get that rematch with McGregor. That was not granted; instead, McGegor challenges for the lightweight title vs. new champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 next month. If McGregor wins he will be the first UFC fighter to ever hold two belts at once, and then will have to give one up.

Aldo wants out. He explains in an interview with Guilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting two not necessarily contradictory points – that he fought for legacy not money, and that it will take big money to bring him back.

“Today, we think the way we have to think,” said Aldo. “Everybody who knows me knows that I wanted to create a legacy and not fight for money. Everybody fights for money, of course, but I wanted to leave a legacy when I retired, get my name in the history. I don’t think like that anymore. When I lost the belt, I saw how reality is. Champion means nothing.”

Prior to announcing his retirement, Aldo had said he preferred to fight Anthony Pettis, who is 1-3 his last four, over Max Holloway who is 9-0 his last nine. Holloway was not impressed.

“What means is money in the pocket, and that’s what I’m thinking about,” said Aldo. “That’s why I said ‘f*** Holloway,’ who won eight in a row. Some people win 10, 15, and don’t fight for the belt. So, who is he to say anything? So I wanted Pettis because that would be a way bigger fight. Everybody wanted to watch this fight when we were supposed to fight in Brazil. You have to think about money first, it’s business these days. First the pocket, then something else.

“If I continue in the sport, I make it clear that I want to see money. That’s what it’s about. You can’t be a correct fighter. The right is wrong today. You don’t have to be the good guy and do what they want, that’s considered wrong today. The right is to spit at someone’s face, do cocaine or smoke weed, throw water at others, call people names, don’t show up at press conferences. That’s the right today, and that’s what Brazilian athletes have to do.”

“People come to me to say I don’t sell. Brazilian media say I don’t give interviews. Nobody is obligated to do anything. We do it inside [the Octagon]. My obligation, Jacare’s, and Demian’s – another guy that is coming off a lot of wins and don’t get his title shot. You have to do it in there. But if I call names here, that’s what everybody wants.”

“(I hope to be remembered as) an excellent athlete, an excellent fighter. For everything I’ve done in there, always giving my best. And for being the champion I always was. I entered (the UFC) as ‘Scarface’ and left as people’s champion. That makes me proud. I like doing what I always did. I never changed my head because I was the champion. I want to leave as the guy that became champion and continued being the same person.”

“At least my daughter is really well [taken care of financially]. If I stop now, I’m fine. I don’t have anything to complain. But nobody ever gave me anything, I always conquered things. If I stop now, my daughter and entire family are well.”