Former UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo says he is willing to fight lightweight contender Michael Johnson.
Recently, Johnson has said he wants to move down to the featherweight division. Johnson wants to move down to 145 pounds because he has already fought the majority of the top guys at 155 pounds. When asked who he would like to fight during a fan Q&A, Johnson said he was interested in a fight with Aldo.
During a recent interview, Aldo said he would be willing to welcome Johnson to the featherweight division. However, he said it would be up to his head coach, Andre Pederneiras, on whether or not the fight would happen.
“I think (a matchup with Johnson) is great,” Aldo said. “I see no problem with that. First, you have to talk to (Pederneiras). He’s the one who handles this. The more people saying my name, the better. That’s what keeps me up there. I see no problem.”
Pederneiras went on to say that he is skeptical on whether or not Johnson would really take the fight. In the past, Pederneiras says there have been fighters who have called out Aldo, but in the end, didn’t take the fight.
“Everyone talks,” Pederneiras said. “(But) when it’s go time, everyone stays behind the curtains. These guys, what they say in front of the cameras, they don’t say behind it – and these are words by the matchmakers.”
Aldo has also shown interest in fighting at UFC 217 on Nov. 4 in New York City, but the UFC has yet to officially book him in a fight.
In his last fight, Aldo lost his UFC title. At UFC 212, Max Holloway defeated Aldo by TKO to win the featherweight championship.
Johnson has lost his last two fights in the lightweight division. He is coming off a decision loss to Justin Gaethje back in July. In his previous fight, he was submitted by lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov.
