Under normal circumstances, a long-reigning champion would be getting an immediate rematch should he lose to some opponent. Such happens in boxing, mixed martial arts and maybe even the WWE even if the storylines can be easily tweaked.
With that said, it seems only natural to hear that Aldo wants a rematch and the UFC should immediately nod in approval. But after losing to archrival Conor McGregor in just 13-seconds, it seems that the UFC has directed itself towards a new direction.
Although nothing is official right now, a McGregor vs. Aldo rematch doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
UFC president Dana White did reveal a couple of scenarios but in all of them, there was no mention of a rematch between Aldo and McGregor.
“It depends on what happens,” White said via UFC.com. “Obviously, if [Conor] vacated and went to [lightweight] we’d probably do Frankie Edgar vs. Jose for the [featherweight] title. If not, then we do Frankie Edgar [vs. McGregor], and Jose Aldo would fight somebody else.”
With the scenarios put on the table, it seemingly hints that Aldo has been bumped off just like that despite reigning for so long. But there are many who feel that the Brazilian deserves a rematch.
One is Jon Jones who cites (via MMAMania.com) the case of Ronda Rousey who was given an immediate rematch against conqueror Holly Holm.
There is also UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub who seems to have mixed views on the matter via ESPN.
“If we're going based off what [UFC president] Dana White has done previously, if he's not showing favorites, then yes, Aldo should get a rematch. As a fan, as a consumer, I don't want to see a rematch.”
So is the new trend these days more about making money than doing what is right? It is not really about being nostalgic, but no one can deny that Aldo had done so much during his reign.
In a way, Aldo was never an easy fighter to deal with on the part of the UFC. So with McGregor holding the title, why risk seeing him losing it again to someone who is technically defiant?
Politics in the UFC?
Well such is shaping up to be the case but the fact of the matter is that Aldo stood up for something and did it his way. And now, all that could backfire because the UFC is calling the shots, even if it means going against traditional rematches given to dethroned champions.