Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will have his hands full against up-and-coming prospect Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 237, but that did not stop Aldo from commenting on his future endeavors once the upcoming Rio de Janeiro card is over.
In an interview with Combate, Aldo once again stated he would like to retire from the sport sooner rather than later, but also emphasized a desire to perform in super fights and to walk away from the sport the champion again, citing double champion Georges St-Pierre as a role model to follow.
“First of all, I have to win on Saturday, I have to respect my opponent,” Aldo said. “I have multiple scenarios in my head. If I’m in the UFC, I’ll always pursue the belt. That’s what it was like in the WEC, it’s not any different in the UFC. I like to look at some champions as role models. I saw Georges St-Pierre quitting when he was in his prime. It was always a dream of mine to become a champion and then stop. Everything can change. First, we need to focus on the task at hand, win and then see if I’ll fight for the belt or do a super fight. One thing is for sure, I don’t see myself fighting for many more years, like other fighters. I’m preparing myself not to go down that path.”
Currently on a two-fight winning streak with a couple of TKO wins over Renato Moicano and Jeremy Stephens, Jose Aldo (28-4) will once again perform in a three-round affair when he meets Volkanovski, which is something the 32-year-old considers as an advantage, as opposed to the exhausting 25-minute main events and title fights.
“My camp was basically the same. I always look to evolve. I might be quicker and more explosive than in the other fights. It’s a three-round fight, so you can more intense, because it’ll end sooner.” Aldo said. ‘He’s (Volkanovski) always coming at you, he looks for the fight, he throws his overhand right, that’s one of his strong suits, but it could also be a weakness. We can work with that. I trained a lot, I believe my gameplan and I know it will work.”
UFC 237 will be headlined by a strawweight title fight between the champion, Rose Namajunas and contender Jessica Andrade.