José Aldo is hard at work in his boxing preparation. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Former featherweight UFC champion José Aldo is currently in the U.S. with one goal in mind: to improve his boxing skills. You’d be forgiven to think that has to do with a wish to become a better MMA fighter, but that’s not the case, according to at least one important source.
After Conor McGregor’s move from the cage to the ring in a multi-million-dollar bout against Floyd Mayweather last week, it may be that Aldo has had a change of plans for his future, as coach André Pederneiras revealed to Combate.com. With four fights to go in his contract with the UFC, it seems like Aldo’s real wish is to do those fights and then dive headfirst into a different sport.
“He’s in the U.S. because he has a dream of boxing professionally,” said Pederneiras. “If it were up to him, he’d do all his remaining UFC bouts in three months and switch over. Aldo did not travel to practice MMA-focused boxing.”
“We’re waiting for the UFC to say something,” he added. “We’re after them to set up this fight of his with Cub Swanson, or anyone else — someone highly ranked. And then wait for the opportunity to fight again for the title.”
In his last engagement outside MMA, Aldo donned the gi at the Master International Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Rio, losing in a quarterfinal.
Do you think Aldo can become a part of the elite of yet another fighting sport? Let us know.
The post McGregor effect: Aldo wants to leave the UFC and become a professional boxer, says coach Pederneiras first appeared on Graciemag.