UFC 200 results: Jose Aldo outpoints Frankie Edgar, claims interim featherweight crown

LAS VEGAS -- Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar once again engaged in a masterpiece of a chess match.

And once again, Aldo was just a little bit better.

In the former longtime UFC and WEC featherweight champion's first fight since having his six-year title reign ended by Conor McGregor in December, Aldo made his statement, winning the UFC interim featherweight title via unanimous decision at UFC 200. The judges' scores Saturday at T-Mobile Arena were a pair of 49-46s and a 48-47.

Afterward, Aldo told McGregor, who was seated cageside, that he was coming for him.

"Next time, when I come here, I will beat him." Aldo said.

In the opening round, Edgar pushed the pace and seemed to have Aldo backpedaling. But late in the round, Aldo stole it with a gigantic knee and a huge right hand. As the seconds wound down, Aldo had Edgar in more trouble than either fighter found over the course of the fight.

In the second and third, though, Edgar's activity ruled the day, as he stayed active and both threw and connected on more punches.

If there's been a consistent criticism of Aldo in the past, it's that he's run out of gas in the late rounds, but that didn't happen this time. Aldo's took over in the championship rounds. In the fourth, his heavy and precise strikes took center stage again, as he landed big counters and opened a ghastly cut over Edgar's left eye. In the fifth, he played matador as Edgar rushed at him and consistently missed.

It was the second win over Edgar for Aldo (26-2), who defeated him via unanimous decision at UFC 156. Edgar (20-5-1) had a five-fight win streak snapped.