UFC: Jose Aldo out-duels Rob Font, and turns attention to T.J. Dillashaw
- Former UFC and WEC featherweight champ beats American by unanimous decision in UFC Vegas 44 main event
- After his victory, Aldo cals for a fight with former bantamweight champion Dillashaw
Jose Aldo’s legend continues to grow.
The 35-year-old Brazilian, considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, returned to action in the main event of UFC Vegas 44 on Saturday night, taking on American Rob Font in a clash of bantamweight contenders.
The 34-year-old Font had his moments in the fight, but Aldo, the former UFC and WEC featherweight champ, was in control for the vast majority of the five-round contest, and ultimately left the cage with a unanimous decision win as a result.
“Rob Font is tough opponent,” Aldo (31-7) said through his translator in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier at the UFC Apex. “I have a lot of respect for him.”
“I trained for this,” he added. “Everyone thinks I can only do three rounds, I did five.”
Aldo flaunted several of his best weapons in the fight, most notably his legendary leg kicks and his punishing body shots. Yet the Brazilian legend also showed off his rarely-seen takedown game in the cage.
“I want to be as complete as I can,” he told Cormier when asked about his takedown-heavy strategy. “This is the new Aldo you’re seeing.”
With his victory over Font (19-5), who was ranked No 4 at bantamweight heading in the fight, Aldo is now on a three-fight win streak, having also recently beaten Pedro Munhoz and Marlon Vera by decision.
The Brazilian is hoping that streak will earn him a fight with former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, who recently returned from an anti-doping suspension with a decision victory over Cory Sandhagen.
“Dillashaw’s right there,” Aldo said. “I want to fight Dillashaw.”
While Aldo now has his sights set on Dillashaw, his ultimate goal is the bantamweight belt. That prize is currently held by Aljamain Sterling, while Petr Yan holds the division’s interim title.
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“I want to be the champion of this division,” he said. “No one’s going to stop me.”
In defeat, Font returns to the loss column after an impressive decision win over former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt in May.
“That guy’s a legend,” the American told Cormier post-fight, giving Aldo his dues. “He’s tough. I feel like I can beat him, but it just wasn’t my night.”
“I’ll be back. I know for a fact this will make me better. I just went five rounds with one of the legends of this sport.”
