Jose Aldo News: Former Featherweight Champion Willing To Sit Out One Year Before Fighting For Title Again

Former long-time featherweight champion José Aldo is willing to remain on the sidelines for another year, if that is what it would take for him to get another shot at the title.

The 29-year-old Brazilian fighter, who held the belt for six years, and kept a nine-year undefeated streak, was knocked out by then interim 145-pound champion Conor McGregor within 13 seconds of their main event bout at UFC 194 last December 12 in Las Vegas.

The current featherweight title picture has become more complicated, after McGregor opted to move up to lightweight and go after Rafael dos Anjos' world title.

"The Notorious" did get the blessing of the UFC, and the fight is scheduled for UFC 196 on March 5. This has left a couple of fighters in disarray, including Aldo and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, who was promised a title shot at featherweight after he scored a first round stoppage over two-time title contender Chad Mendes at the Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale a day before UFC 194.

In a recent media scrum, Aldo was adamant about only fighting for the title in his next bout.

And in a report by MMA Fighting, Aldo's head trainer and manager Andre Pederneiras announced that his fighter is willing to sit out a year and wait for his desired fight.

"What I can say is that that's our idea right now. It might change tomorrow, but that's our idea right now," Pederneiras said.

Over the years that the same exact scenario has happened, many fighters ended up holding grudges against the UFC. Aldo and his team feel the same way, but in the end, they have conceded to the fact that there is really nothing they can do to change it.

"I wouldn't let (McGregor) move up and take the belt with him, but it's the UFC's call, I can't do anything about it," Pederneiras said. "I have to accept it. I can't say I'm happy with it, though."