SALT LAKE CITY – Jose Aldo feels after Saturday he’ll be undeniable.
The former UFC and WEC featherweight champion expects to be fighting for gold once again if victorious in his UFC return. Aldo (31-7 MMA, 13-6 UFC) takes on rising contender Merab Dvalishvili (14-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) on the main card of UFC 278.
The Brazilian is currently on a three-fight winning streak, with unanimous decision wins over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font. Aldo is confident a championship fight should follow next, if he is able to extend his run to four straight with a win over Dvalishvili.
“I actually think that I (should’ve been) fighting for the title,” Aldo told reporters through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC 278 media day. “I wanted to fight Aljo (Aljamain Sterling), but he’s going for Dillashaw.
“I believe if I win this fight, I am actually then the next one up to fight for the belt.”
Right now, the UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is scheduled to face T.J. Dillashaw on Oct. 22 at UFC 280. Aldo believes Sterling will defend his title and beat Dillashaw.
“If we’re going with a pick, I’ll say Aljo (because) for the moment that he’s going through in his career,” Aldo said. “He’s been fighting at a high level, and also I think Dillashaw had that time when he wasn’t fighting, so I think that goes against him. The moment in which Aljo is fighting, I think he’s the one that’s going to get it.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 278.
