UFC Lightweight Title Shot Awaits Jose Aldo with Win Over Anthony Pettis
Less than 48 hours after UFC president Dana White revealed that featherweight champion Jose Aldo was absolutely refusing to fight Anthony Pettis, the entire scene did a 180-degree switch, Aldo relenting and keeping the Aug. 3 fight with Pettis intact.
So what happened in those 48 hours to change Aldo’s mind?
A title shot of his own, that’s what.
Shortly after White confirmed that Aldo had agreed to put his UFC featherweight title on the line against Pettis, Brazilian website Tatame.com spoke with Aldo, who said that his demand was simple. If Pettis, like Frankie Edgar, was granted a title shot in his 145-pound debut, then Aldo wanted a 155-pound title shot in return if he is victorious over that division’s No. 1 contender.
White agreed, and the deal was done.
No details on whether or not Aldo would have to vacate the 145-pound belt or even if he would want the move to 155 pounds to be a permanent one have been determined, but White did later confirm in an MMAJunkie.com report that Aldo would earn a lightweight title shot with a victory over Pettis.
If Aldo were successful in defeating Pettis and then winning the lightweight championship, he would become only the third fighter in UFC history – behind Randy Couture and B.J. Penn – to become a champion in two weight classes.
Benson Henderson currently holds the lightweight belt, but has a bout on tap with Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7 on April 20.
Aldo will put his belt on the line against Pettis on Aug. 3 at an as yet to be determined venue and location.
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