Not even a title fight with Conor McGregor would make Jose Aldo reconsider retirement

Earlier this month, the MMA community was caught off guard when interim UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo requested his release from the UFC after it was announced that UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor would be fighting Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight championship at UFC 205 rather than defending his featherweight championship.

After Aldo requested his release from the promotion, UFC President Dana White attempted to remedy the situation by offering Aldo a fight on the UFC 205 card. Despite that, Aldo fired back stating that he wanted to be released by the promotion so he could retire from MMA and pursue a career in another sport.

During a recent interview, Aldo was asked if he would stick around the UFC if he were to get a rematch with McGregor, to which he responded:

“No. Not even that. If anything, that should have been what happened. This fight is the fight that should have been made as the next fight at 145 (featherweight). I earned this. I earned this since I first arrived at the UFC. Because I’ve seen other champions losing, and getting immediate rematches. But, in my case they made me fight for the interim belt instead. I did it, and I won! And even now, I don’t have any perspective for my future.

So for me. Not even a fight against McGregor. I don’t care if he’s fighting someone else. I couldn’t care less about how he manages his career. I want to follow my own path. So, the only way for them to make things right with me is by releasing me.”

Given that UFC President Dana White has remained adamant that the promotion will not release Aldo, who served as the only featherweight champion in UFC history until he was knocked out by McGregor at UFC 194.

Since White denied Aldo’s request for release, Aldo’s manager has revealed that Aldo is willing to take the UFC to court if necessary.