UFC Champion Requests Release From Promotion, UFC 205 Press Conference Recap Video
- If you missed the incredible UFC 205 press conference on Tuesday, check out a recap from the event right here. Conor McGregor, Eddie Alvarez, Dana White and the rest of the lineup were all on hand to usher in the upcoming November event. The headline bout features Alvarez defending his lightweight title against McGregor, and the two already got going in the "war of worlds."
Hear from Alvarez, Stephen Thompson, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and others as they discuss their upcoming fights.
- Former undisputed UFC featherweight champion and current interim titleholder Jose Aldo wants out. Aldo, who was one regarded as the pound-for-pound top fighter in the world, has requested his release from the UFC after the promotion signed Conor McGregor-Eddie Alvarez for UFC 205.
Aldo, who lost the belt last year to McGregor, was looking to score a rematch with "Notorious" to crown an undisputed champion at 145 pounds. He stated in an interview with Combate out of Brazil that he was offered a fight at UFC 205 opposite either Max Holloway or Anthony Pettis, but declined because he wanted a full training camp for either opponent.
"I heard about everything that happened through my coach," Aldo said. "He had spoken with (UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby Saturday and Sean still had no answer about anything, and asked if I could fight on November 12. My coach said that if it would be Conor, yes, and then Sean asked him if I would fight Max Holloway or Anthony Pettis. 'Dede' (Pederneiras) said that for those who I'd rather do a full camp and it could be on December 10. We waited until Dana (White) publicly said that he wanted this fight with McGregor to happen. And then we expected it to happen: I'd get my rematch to unify the featherweight belts, or I'd have my belt back and fight Holloway or Pettis, since Dana said all the time that Conor couldn't keep both belts. But, to my surprise, I heard last night about the fight between McGregor and Eddie Alvarez, which was also denied by Dana last week. And to make it worse, he would keep the featherweight belt, and possibly having two belts at the same time."
Aldo isn't looking to compete elsewhere, as he added that he wants to "follow a career in another sport. That's what I want." The Brazilian was a standout soccer player before embarking on an MMA career beginning in 2004. He has defeated the likes of Frankie Edgar, Kenny Florian, Urijah Faber and Chad Mendes during his run.