Jose Aldo

By FCF Staff

Max Holloway has repeatedly accused Jose Aldo of ducking him, but the featherweight champ says he’s already committed to fighting the contender at UFC 208. In fact, Aldo says he’s fighting at the upcoming card, even if Holloway doesn’t show up.

Holloway has secured a fight with Aldo by stopping Anthony Pettis this past weekend, and becoming the interim 145 champ. After the event, however, the Hawaiian fighter said he would talk to Dana White about when the Aldo bout will happen. Holloway’s concerned the often injured champ could withdraw from the proposed February 11th fight, and he will have to train through the holidays and Christmas to prepare.

Aldo spoke with the media on Monday in Brazil, however, and while doing so, he said this (quote via MMA Junkie.com):

“The date is certain,” Aldo said. “I’ll fight that day, whether it’s with him or somebody else. Whether he’ll show up or not is his problem.”

“I’ve fought events like Super Bowl (weekend) and trained during Christmas and New Year’s and it was never a problem for me. So it’s very easy to analyze and see who’s the one that’s not going to show up. This was already certain, like I said. It was certain, and the UFC already had these dates in mind.”

Aldo recently was awarded the undisputed featherweight championship, after Conor McGregor relinquished the title. The latter KO’d Aldo last December to become the 145 champ. More recently, Aldo decisioned Frankie Edgar in July.