Jose Aldo on interim title: “It means nothing”

Back at UFC 194, Jose Aldo had his 10 year unbeaten streak snapped in just 13 seconds at the hands of Conor McGregor. While Aldo has hoped to get a chance to avenge his loss to McGregor and reclaim the UFC featherweight championship, Frankie Edgar now stands in his way.

The pair are slated to fight at UFC 200 in a fight for the interim featherweight title, with the winner facing McGregor for the undisputed featherweight championship.

Ahead of UFC 200 on July 9th, Aldo spoke to media members in Rio de Janeiro to discuss the fight.

MMAFighting has the quotes:

“He will be fighting at the same night in a different division, in a rematch that means nothing,” Aldo said during a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro. “We asked for a rematch. For everything I’ve done, all the years as champion, I deserved a rematch, but what can I do? I had to accept. We’re not the ones making the call. We’ll go there and win. I respect Frankie Edgar, but it’s our first step towards the belt.

“It’s a bit frustrating, of course, because we expected the title fight, but it’s kind of what they said they would do, that we would fight Frankie Edgar for the belt, but it’s not the undisputed belt. But what can I do? We’re hired to go there and fight.”

“It means nothing,” Aldo said. “I want the victory so I get the belt next. That’s the first step we’re taking. Interim belt is made for media and fans, not for me. I want the undisputed belt. I respect Frankie Edgar, but I’ll get there and win. This lit that fire again, this desire to go there and win.”