Jose Aldo: UFC interim title ‘means nothing’

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar will be fighting for the UFC interim featherweight championship at UFC 200, but the Brazilian doesn’t care about the interim belt.

The Nova Uniao star held the undisputed gold for years, and entering a cage on July 9 to fight for an interim belt while champion Conor McGregor moves up in weight one more time to face Nate Diaz on the same night feels weird for him.

"He will be fighting at the same night in a different division, in a rematch that means nothing," Aldo said during a recent media scrum in Rio de Janeiro. "We asked for a rematch. For everything I’ve done, all the years as champion, I deserved a rematch, but what can I do? I had to accept. We’re not the ones making the call. We’ll go there and win. I respect Frankie Edgar, but it’s our first step towards the belt.

"It’s a bit frustrating, of course, because we expected the title fight, but it’s kind of what they said they would do, that we would fight Frankie Edgar for the belt, but it’s not the undisputed belt. But what can I do? We’re hired to go there and fight."

When Aldo pulled out of a UFC 189 clash with McGregor due to an injury, the UFC decided to create an interim title for "The Notorious" vs. Chad Mendes. Aldo made fun of the interim belt before and after the event, and hasn’t changed his mind now that he’s fighting for one.

"It means nothing," Aldo said. "I want the victory so I get the belt next. That’s the first step we’re taking. Interim belt is made for media and fans, not for me. I want the undisputed belt. I respect Frankie Edgar, but I’ll get there and win. This lit that fire again, this desire to go there and win."