Jose Aldo has become one of the sport’s dominant champions at 145 pounds. | Photo: Dave Mandel
Almost universally regarded as one of the Top 5 pound-for-pound fighters in MMA, Aldo will put his 12-fight winning streak on the line, along with his featherweight crown, when he collides with two-time lightweight title contender Kenny Florian in the UFC 136 “Edgar vs. Maynard 3” co-main event this Saturday at the Toyota Center in Houston.
In this exlcusive interview with Sherdog.com, the 25-year-old Brazilian discusses his upcoming title defense, the criticism he received in wake of his unanimous decision victory over Mark Hominick at UFC 129, dealing with newfound fame, the idea of fighting more often and the impact mentors like Nova Uniao founder Andre Pederneiras and UFC veteran Pedro Rizzo have had on his life and career.
Aldo: It was strong. My coach, Andre
Pederneiras, was always there watching my preparation. He wants
me to come on strong in the fight. Everything has been as planned.
We scripted it beforehand, and I said I wanted to be well-prepared
for this fight. If Florian isn’t ready, I’ll leave him behind.
Aldo: I think they say that due to his experience, having fought in
three divisions, challenged for a title and so on. He has always
been among the top fighters, but that will change when we start to
fight. I’ll show my work. I respect all those who fight for the
title, but I’m confident, well-trained, getting better every day.
Let’s see what happens.
Aldo: I think my last fight was good and well-played, but everyone
got the impression that I was tired in the last round and that
didn’t happen. So I’m focused on going out there, introducing
myself well and leaving no doubt. I received several criticisms
[after fighting Hominick] and learned to get used to it. They
talked about things that I didn’t agree with, but I tried to take
advantage of what they said.
Perdo Rizzo File Photo
Rizzo mentors Aldo.
Aldo: There were two moments. In WEC, many saw the event and liked
it very much. [The UFC] rocks in the business of media and fans ...
everything has changed completely. Before, I went to the mall and
only a few people knew me. Today, I have to stop to take pictures
and sign autographs for a lot of people.
Aldo: That has also been complicated (laughs). I always liked to
play -- those who know me know that I always liked fooling around
-- but I had to change my way of speaking, so as not to publish
rubbish. I have to have another image. I’m a public person. Also, I
consulted friends like Pedro Rizzo, who passed through some similar
situations, and I learned how to act.
Aldo: I’ve always fought a lot. During my the time of WEC, I came
to do two fights in less than a month. I understand a little.
Because I’m the champion, they have to put me in certain events to
have higher returns, but I would like to fight more often, and I’ll
ask to fight again in December. Three fights in a year is OK for
recovering and getting back to training just right.
Aldo: In the begining, I watched Pedro ripping up everyone in the
UFC and I wanted to be like him. He was my mirror. I wanted to
break everybody, too, using the muay Thai techniques I learned from
him. He is my idol, and, at that moment, I wanted to be like him.
Today, I’m the champion and he’s on my side and it’s awesome. He’s
a striker and he fought in the UFC, so he gives me lots of advice.
I’m always talking with him to learn and to avoid falling into the
errors he fell into. Dede is everything. He has always believed in
my work, saying I would be champion. I’ve always worked by focusing
on what he teaches. My wife has been with me from the beginning.
Today, we laugh about the difficulties of the past. We passed
through many hard times. These people are everything to me.
Aldo: The UFC in Rio was the fulfillment of a dream. I never cared
what the fans yelled, mostly because I didn’t understand. Now,
seeing the Brazilian public calling out the names of Brazilians, I
felt our strength. It hits on our will to fight for family,
friends, everyone. I think there will be another event there next
year, and I hope to be there.