Jose Aldo next fight rumors: Former UFC champ will only return if it is for the title

Jose Aldo[photo: YouTube screen capture/Dream Eskimo]

Jose Aldo has been quietly out of the limelight ever since suffering that 13-second loss at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 194 at the hands of rival Conor McGregor.

Aldo admits his mistakes but nevertheless categorizes McGregor's punch as lucky. He goes on to explain that there was technically no fight seen, although much of that happened because of his own doing.

Aldo claims that his approach was technically sound and something that only boxers will understand. He terms it a safe attack and the only thing that he did wrong was that he his hand didn't return to its right place, as he mentioned on MMA Junkie.

Going back to that moment is really irrelevant at this point and all Aldo can do right now is look forward. But that could be easier said than done since the former champion has set the bar higher, opting to return and fight only if the title will be on the line, according to his interview on Portal do Vale Tudo.

Being a former champion, he believes that he should get another shot at McGregor. Right now, Frankie Edgar is looming as the number one contender and will likely be in line after The Notorious' match against UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 197 this coming March.

As it stands, it could be a long wait for Aldo if such is his stipulation and it may all depend on when McGregor and Edgar face-off. Right now, all that has yet to be made and a likely scenario is after the results of UFC 197.

Aldo has decried the special attention given to McGregor, but the reality of it all is that the Irishman has become a big draw. Win or lose against dos Anjos, he will still be the UFC featherweight champion which is something the Brazilian fighter is bemoaning right now.

Aldo can complain as much as he can, but the fact remains that he is in waiting. For how long is anybody's guess for now.