Last night, in the co-main event of UFC Fortaleza on ESPN+, former UFC featherweight champ and bona fide MMA legend Jose Aldo picked up another huge win, this time at the expense of Renato Moicano, who he dispatched with a volley of second-round punches. This victory generated reactions from many MMA stars — including several of Aldo’s rivals in Conor McGregor, Brian Ortega, Alexander Volkanovski and reigning featherweight champ Max Holloway. Speaking at Saturday’s post-fight press conference, Jose Aldo responded to each of these comments (via MMA Fighting). First, he addressed a comment from Conor McGregor, who claims he wants to fight in Brazil. What an amazing atmosphere at UFC Brazil tonight. I would LOVE to compete there for all the passionate Brazilian fans at some stage of my career. I was so close to securing a bout in Rio last year. It was essentially a done deal. Maybe next time. Ui Vai Morrer!!!! I’m still here. — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 3, 2019 “What an amazing atmosphere at UFC Brazil tonight,” Conor McGregor wrote on Twitter. “I would LOVE to compete there for all the passionate Brazilian fans at some stage of my career. I was so close to securing a bout in Rio last year. It was essentially a done deal. Maybe next time. Ui Vai Morrer!!!! I’m still here.” “To me it would be great,” Jose Aldo said in response, discussing a potential rematch with McGregor in Brazil. “I don’t know if this fight he said [would be] in Rio, it didn’t get to me, but if I have that opportunity at the division above, that way I don’t have to suffer through the weight cut, I think it would be a great fight. “I think in the first fight we weren’t able to show my work. He connected with a great punch, but if you have another opportunity, I think the story’s going to be different.” Next, Jose Aldo addressed a post-fight callout from Brian Ortega. Well let’s start negotiating. — Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) February 3, 2019 “Well let’s start negotiating,” Ortega wrote on Twitter after Aldo’s win. “Of course,” Aldo said in response to a potential fight with Ortega. “Anyone here who is well-ranked would be a great fight. I put about 15 names in front of Dana (White) and asked him what was the real situation, … so I gave him a list of names and all those in that list, I’d like to face them someday.” Jose Aldo also addressed a callout from streaking contender Alexander Volkanovski. While he didn’t seem clear on who Volkanovski is, he seems open to the idea of fighting him at UFC 237 in Curitiba. Well done @josealdojunior 👍 let me know if you looking for a quick turn around #UFCFortaleza — Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) February 3, 2019 “Well done [Jose Aldo],” Volkanovski write. “Let me know if you’re looking for a quick turn around.” “Sorry,” Aldo replied. “Sorry to that guy. I don’t know, you can be sure that if you want to fight in Curitiba, if I have the opportunity, I’m in.” Finally, Jose Aldo addressed a message of congratulations from the reigning champ Max Holloway — a man he’s lost to twice. Not just king of Rio. King of Brazil. King of defending champs. Congrats Ze Aldo. Nothing but love for you my bratha https://t.co/6ijEjBnzvn — Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 3, 2019 “Not just king of Rio. King of Brazil,” Holloway wrote on Twitter. “King of defending champs. Congrats Ze Aldo. Nothing but love for you my bratha.” “I think he’s a true champion,” Aldo said in response to this comment from Holloway. “I’m happy about it because he deserves to be there, he deserves to be the champion. He achieved it, he’s battled from the beginning. He came into the UFC very young and I think that he conquered that. I have a lot of respect for him. “He’s got a great story. He’s got a kid too, just like me, I have my family. So we defend that and I’m very happy and I wish him all the best at featherweight or at lightweight. I hope that he continues with his victorious path, always healthy.” What do you think the future holds for Jose Aldo after UFC Fortaleza? This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 2/3/2019. This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM<doc-sep>Former long-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo scored another emphatic win on Saturday night against Renato Moicano. This second-round TKO win puts the 32-year-old fighter on a two-fight winning streak, after stopping Jeremy Stephens via a vicious uppercut to the body in Calgary, Canada in July of last year. Aldo’s spectacular win over Moicano was enjoyed by many, including a man who had fought and beaten him twice, Max Holloway. After the fight, the current 145-pound king had nothing but adulations for one of the longest-reigning champions in history. Not just king of Rio. King of Brazil. King of defending champs. Congrats Ze Aldo. Nothing but love for you my bratha https://t.co/6ijEjBnzvn — Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 3, 2019 Aldo’s immediate career plans involve more fights in his home country. During his Octagon interview with Michael Bisping, he expressed his intent to be part of the UFC 237, which takes place in Curitiba, Brazil, in May. As for his long term plans, Aldo is looking at fighting the out the last three fights in his contract, before possibly retiring by the end of 2019.<doc-sep>
UFC Fortaleza really brought the goods. Knockouts, submissions, back-and-forth wars- the best of MMA. Moraes avenged his loss with a stellar finish against Raphael Assuncao, Demian Maia turned in a classic Maia grappling seminar, Charles Oliveira extended his UFC record for submissions after getting eye poked twice and knocked down, Johnny Walker continued his light heavyweight rise with a 15-second knockout, and Thiago Alves turned back the clock with a war against Max Griffin. If you don’t have ESPN+, you can sign up here for a seven-day free trial. Last night’s fights were well worth it. But perhaps the most impressive veteran performance was in the co-main event, where Jose Aldo dispatched rising contender Renato Moicano with extreme prejudice, rocking Moicano with a left hook early in the second frame and unleashing a wicked finishing combination, pouring on the damage until the referee stepped in for a standing TKO. This is Aldo’s second straight stoppage win, after he dropped Jeremy Stephens with a brutal bodyshot in his last outing. Aldo has never looked deadlier. Every win he gets only makes Max Holloway seem more impressive. Holloway took Aldo’s best shots and walked through them to beat down the featherweight GOAT in back-to-back wins. He and Conor McGregor are the only fighters to beat Aldo at his best, but their responses couldn’t be more different. Holloway was gracious and generous, calling Aldo the King of Brazil. There is no hint of self-aggrandizement here. Not just king of Rio. King of Brazil. King of defending champs. Congrats Ze Aldo. Nothing but love for you my bratha https://t.co/6ijEjBnzvn — Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 3, 2019 McGregor, who has at times taken the same approach, instead reacted to the event by referencing a bout that never happened. His self-centered response reflects a man who savors past glory, rather than one who has nothing to prove. What an amazing atmosphere at UFC Brazil tonight. I would LOVE to compete there for all the passionate Brazilian fans at some stage of my career. I was so close to securing a bout in Rio last year. It was essentially a done deal. Maybe next time. Ui Vai Morrer!!!! I’m still here. — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 3, 2019 There is no reason McGregor couldn’t headline an event in Brazil opposite his old foe Aldo, a rematch he once promised, and Aldo would accept. Unless he actually does it, though, he is just blowing hot air, a champion who was rather than a champion who is.