Since entering the UFC last year, Aldo has reigned among the featherweight division and dominated every opponent in front of him. Like most world-class champions, Aldo's talent is evidently superior to the rest of his opposition, and perhaps a change of scenery would be more beneficial to the 25-year-old Brazilian.
However, Aldo's coach and head trainer of Nova Uniao, Andre Pederneiras, doesn't believe the time is right for the UFC featherweight champion to step up to 155 pounds.
“It won’t happen for now, unless he goes straight for a title shot," Pederneiras said.
During the UFC 142 post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White appeared to be open to the idea of seeing Aldo challenge for the UFC lightweight title in the future. However, White said he will let Aldo and his camp make the final decision.
“I would have no problem with him staying at his weight now and defending his title there or moving to 155 pounds, whatever he feels like he wants to do,” White said.
Aldo's stunning knockout of Chad Mendes left the NCAA Division 1 wrestler in a crumpled heap on the canvas, and it also left the state of the division in limbo, as some critics felt Mendes was one of the few fighters who could potentially present problems to Aldo with his speed and wrestling ability.
But his victory was not to be outdone, as Aldo sprinted into the crowd to celebrate with those in attendance at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Pederneiras said it was something he expected out of the champion.
“I expected him to do something stupid, especially here,” he joked. "He did [the same thing] in San Diego and he had to hear a lot from the commission staff. But here, with all that crowd, I knew.”
Aldo is making his way towards being one of the UFC's marketable fighters and with more events to be held outside the United States, especially in Brazil, Aldo can certainly become one of the top fighters in the pound for pound rankings but also as a major draw for the organization.
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