If Aldo moves up, UFC boss says Chad Mendes vs. Cub Swanson makes sense for featherweight title

UFC President Dana White made it very clear he wasn’t making a fight announcement, but he did offer a strong opinion on what could come next at 145 pounds if Jose Aldo does indeed vacate his title and move up to the lightweight division to challenge current champ Anthony Pettis.

White believes a showdown between Chad Mendes (16-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Cub Swanson (20-5 MMA, 5-1 UFC) would make sense to determine a new UFC featherweight champion.

“It would probably be – listen, I’m not making a fight announcement here or anything – but what would make sense is Cub Swanson and Chad Mendes would probably be fighting for that title, and Pettis and Aldo would fight at 155,” White said while a guest on Wednesday’s new edition of FOX Sports 1's “FOX Sports Live.”

White also eliminated the possibility of a potential 150-pound catchweight fight between Aldo and Pettis, a possibility that had recently been presented by Nova Uniao head Andre Pederneiras.

“There’s no disagreement over the weight,” White said. “They’re going to fight at 155 pounds. What will happen is Aldo would have to give up his title, vacate the 145-pound title, move up to 155.”

If the Mendes vs. Swanson bout is scheduled, it would serve as a rematch of their August 2010 fight under the WEC banner, which Mendes won via decision.

Mendes’ lone career loss came in a failed 2012 bid to unseat Aldo as champ. However, Mendes has since earned five consecutive wins and now sits at No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings. Mendes fought most recently in December, when he earned a decision win over Nik Lentz.

Meanwhile, Swanson also boasts a five-fight winning streak, a run that includes a July victory over Dennis Siver at UFC 162's “Fight of the Night.” Swanson currently sits at No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Chad Mendes)