Is this a plausible idea regarding Aldo?

[tenniswhiz]

I think he has been offered a massive raise and a title shot at LW if he wins his next fight.
But the condition is that he has to relinquish the FW belt, and let the hyenas (Edgar, Mendes, and Conor) fight it out for the FW belt.

Is this what will happen?
There is NOTHING more for him to do at FW and there is NOTHING the UFC has to gain from having him stay at FW.

 

[Degen Gambler]

in the unlikely event Conor slips on a banana peel and Aldo can somehow capitalize and win, I highly doubt Aldo will vacate his title. Its his security blanket and he is terrified to lose it. You can tell by how he fights. He fights to keep his belt, not to finish his opponents.

 

[ralphus1]

I'm surprised Dana let him stay at FW this long, the talk about him moving up to LW goes back at least 2 years after he beat Frankie, and again after he beat Lamas a year ago.

 

[tenniswhiz]

in the unlikely event Conor slips on a banana peel and Aldo can somehow capitalize and win, I highly doubt Aldo will vacate his title. Its his security blanket and he is terrified to lose it. You can tell by how he fights. He fights to keep his belt, not to finish his opponents.

Money talks....
You offer him a mil/fight (including win bonus, PPV shares, and show money) if he goes to LW, and he'll be there for sure.

Money is always the most powerful incentive.

And that opens up the FW division for some major drama between Frankie (with his Jersey shore wannabe fans), Mendes, and Conor. We need a 4th guy in there; they'll find someone.

 

[CTYankee]

We pretty much hear this before every Aldo fight.

 

[Degen Gambler]

Money talks....
You offer him a mil/fight (including win bonus, PPV shares, and show money) if he goes to LW, and he'll be there for sure.

Money is always the most powerful incentive.

And that opens up the FW division for some major drama between Frankie (with his Jersey shore wannabe fans), Mendes, and Conor. We need a 4th guy in there; they'll find someone.

When have they ever offered a champ huge money to move up? I just don't think its likely. Dana always says he doesn't tell guys which weight to compete at (unless they can't make weight).

 

[Goodfella86]

If he beats Conor, the likely "Money fight" is probably still a rematch with Conor. I suppose if he destroys him, that ship will have sailed, but think any Conor victory or a competitive aldo victory will leave him in a position in which his best fight is a rematch.

Aldo vs rda is also a huge money fight, especially considering how high his stock will have risen with a victory over Conor. There will be a lot of eyes on this one. Either way, these next two are not only HUGE "Money" fights for aldo; they are also "Legacy" fights.

 

[schwe30]

Yes, in fact, he's hinted this is exactly what's gonna happen with his "announcement."

 

[Cowb]

We pretty much hear this before every Aldo fight.

True, but aside from a possible rematch with Edgar (assuming he beats Faber), there's not many interesting fights left for him in FW. And there aren't many fighters from other classes he could take on while the UFC develops another challenger.

He already beat Faber. Baroa is a teammate. Cruz is perpetually injured and would probably try to win the BW belt if he could stay healthy long enough. Dillashaw has his own belt to hold. No one else in BW has the name recognition. Pettis will probably try to earn another LW title shot. None of the other top LWs could make FW. And I don't think Aldo vacates his belt and puts on weight unless it's for a title shot.

Edgar's always a dangerous fight, and Aldo already beat him so he doesn't prove very much by doing it again. I like Holloway, but I don't think anyone gives him much chance against Aldo (and he'd have to win another fight or two anyway) so there's not much to prove there either. And Aldo's about to tie Anderson's title defense record.

I honestly think he would move up if Pettis was still champ, and even with RDA, Cerrone, or Kabhib holding the belt, the move has to look more tempting all the time for Aldo. If I had to guess, I suspect the biggest reason he didn't move up already was that he wasn't enough of a draw for the UFC to offer him an immediate title shot. If he beats Conor, that may change.

 

[ATTMIA]

I think a third fight with Mendez ,winner of Edgar/Faber, or even an ex champ or LW contender like Pettis moving down is more likely than Aldo leaving FW. I doubt they are looking to rush him to LW with all the stuff going on in the LW picture with a new Champ and potential match ups there.

 

[scorpipede]

I'm surprised Dana let him stay at FW this long, the talk about him moving up to LW goes back at least 2 years after he beat Frankie, and again after he beat Lamas a year ago.

they throw that stuff out there to start a buzzing I think. Maybe we didn't buzz enough. I like the idea. Fucking do it already.

bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

 

[jawlock]

Maybe, maybe not, I dunno