Does Jose Aldo deserve a rematch?
That's the question being floated days after the dramatic end to his four-year reign as UFC featherweight champion.
Aldo was stopped just 13 seconds into his main event bout opposite Conor McGregor at UFC 194, but fans, media and even notables like former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones have voiced support in seeing the Brazilian get a second chance right away.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan isn't part of that camp.
"The problem with doing a rematch with Conor McGregor and Aldo is that it would be so hard to sell when a guy gets knocked out quick," Rogan said Monday on his podcast. "When you hype it up for as long as you did, for two separate events, it dies off and then the first punch Conor connects with puts him out? It's hard to sell that.
"If you want to look at his lineage and history, yea, a guy who was champion for 10 years[sic], he should have a rematch."
But when it came to what exactly Aldo was owed, Rogan isn't buying the argument that the former champ "deserves" a rematch.
"Does he?" asked Rogan. "I think a lot of what [UFC] has done has been based on what compelling contenders they have for that title. Compelling contenders where you look at their style and the style of the current champion. If you wanted to make the most intriguing stylistic matchup, I think it's Frankie Edgar. A guy who won the title at 155 pounds, beat legends in B.J. Penn, just knocked out Chad Mendes with one punch, before that beat the f**k out of Cub Swanson. He's smushed everyone they've put in front of him for a few years now. He's a monster."
Rogan has made it clear he'd like to see former women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey take a considerable layoff to recover from her knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November. He's carried that thinking right over to Aldo.
"Some people are mad that I said I don't think it's smart that Aldo fight right away," Rogan said. "First of all, Aldo got knocked dead. When you get knocked dead like that you need a long time off. You need at least six months off. Conor McGregor could fight next Tuesday and so could Frankie Edgar.
"I think that fight would be f***ing bananas. For a fan, I'm so excited to see that fight. Frankie has a very dangerous style for a guy like Conor who was taken down repeatedly by Chad Mendes. He's a nasty wrester. His cardio is off the chain. His footwork is fantastic. He's got [striking coach] Mark Henry in his corner. They're going to come up with a badass gameplan. Between Henry and [McGregor coach John Kavanagh] and a winner like Frankie and a winner like Conor, goddamn."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Big business. Conor McGregor and Frankie Edgar lead the payrolls from UFC 194 (here) and The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale (here).
'It's still is too hard to digest.' Jose Aldo reacts to his KO loss to Conor McGregor and makes the case for a rematch.
The fall. Longtime head trainer Andre Pederneiras responds to Jose Aldo's critics. "The king has left, but will be back shortly."
Checking in. Brazilian fighters voice their support for Jose Aldo.
Champs on champs. Jon Jones believes if Ronda Rousey gets an immediate rematch, so should former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo.
Watch The MMA Hour with John Kavanagh, Ido Portal, Anthony Pettis, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Rose Namajunas, Aljamain Sterling, Javier Mendez, Lance Palmer and Tony Ferguson.
MEDIA STEW
Free Fight: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Donald Cerrone.
Highlights from RFA 33.
Ronda Rousey doesn't sound like a Donald Trump fan.
Cerrone would love to see McGregor at 155 pounds. (pre UFC 194)
Catching up on Cerrone's road trip to UFC on FOX 17 in Orlando.
Comedian Bill Burr recaps UFC 194.
Long watches.
Undercard Insanity at RFA 33 Courtesy of Tommy Aaron and Jacob Rosales
...
TWEETS
The Chris.
I will remember this moment for ever. It has already changed me for the better. The motivation I have inside myself has...
Posted by Chris Weidman on Monday, December 14, 2015
No BONES about it.
UFC Rankings: Demetrious Johnson Claims Top Spot - https://t.co/QBe7tMkD1e https://t.co/32OVfgECVj
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) December 15, 2015
It's all just opinion, I don't mind being second to him. He does amazing things in that cage https://t.co/IbWEB7Ddf6
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 15, 2015
Excited?
John Hand Of Stone Lineker luta dia 21 de fevereiro contra Cody Garbrandt em Pittsburg PA USA. Obrigado Senhor Jesus pic.twitter.com/mOF7NHNpTS
— John Lineker (@johnlineker) December 15, 2015
Not happy.
Sage Northcutt 40k/40k @FunkMaster_UFC top #5 ranked fighter 14k/14k hmmmm something don't make sense wtf #justsaying
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) December 15, 2015
So Sage Northcutt tops the payroll for that event? Unbelievable. 2 UFC fights and most of his opponents in the past had losing records
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) December 14, 2015
I don't think Sage makes too much I think everybody else makes too little https://t.co/bJkHytaQhX
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) December 14, 2015
No love in the rankings and guys with one fight in the #UFC make more money than me. Am I doing something wrong?
— Ryan LaFlare (@RLaFlare) December 15, 2015
Beef.
The greatest fights of 2015 have passed, so, now, will u face me or run away from a K.O in 2016?let's settle the score? @MieshaTate #sweetie
— Bethe (@bethecorreia) December 14, 2015
Celebrate.
Before & after. #Vegas #Gleeso pic.twitter.com/xgpuVcRNAf
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) December 14, 2015
Nice.
@jonnybones did you giggle when Weidman's dad said "HE'S STILL MY BOY"
— Your Bud Ben (@GoodTimeHaver) December 15, 2015
I actually felt proud for Chris's dad. Chris has and will continue to accomplish great things https://t.co/1NhAb2NnQS
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 15, 2015
Still got it.
Showing some moves at Mayde Creek Junior High @reebok @danawhiteufc @ufc @ufcfightpass pic.twitter.com/daKpmifIi6
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) December 14, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 14 2015)
Cody Garbrandt vs. John Lineker at UFC Fight Night: Pittsburgh
Sarah Moras vs. Lauren Murphy at UFC Fight Night: Pittsburgh
Henry Briones vs. Brad Pickett at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Mousasi
Davey Grant vs. Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Mousasi
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.