Jose Aldo: Could He Be A Force At 155?
Posted on October 9, 2010, 09:26 AM by NeoSamuraiA week ago today, 145lb kingpin Jose Aldo made another successful defense of his title. This time, instead of a methodical picking apart like he did against former Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber, Aldo played it a little safe the first round. Then in the second, Aldo went for the kill after hurting Manny and secured the TKO victory.
If there were any doubts that Aldo was the best featherweight fighter in the world, those doubts should now be put to rest. He proved that not only is he the best at 145, but also at minimum a top 5 pound-for-pound fighter.
While there still may be an entertaining bout or two left for him right now, he will face a serious lack of competition should the WEC not bring in some fresh meat for the grinding machine that is “Junior.”
But just for giggles, let’s say that Jose tears through everyone the WEC throws at him. Could he be as dominant at 155 in the UFC as he is at 145 in the WEC?
Let’s go with maybe.
While Aldo is as dynamic and explosive as they come in the sport, he would have to put on some weight in order to hold his own on the ground against some of the big, strong wrestlers.
Just imagine Gray Maynard or Sean Sherk keeping Aldo pinned to his back on the mat as they dropped bombs to his dome. Now this leads to another question.
How goods is Jose’s ground game?
With the exception of a few minutes in his fight against Faber, we haven’t got the chance to see the ground game of Aldo in action. He could be absolutely amazing off his back and damn near impossible to take down. There hasn’t been enough of Aldo on the ground to form an intelligent analysis of his skills in that area. Being a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu though is always good reissurance though.
When it comes to the striking department, Jose’s skills are second to none. It may be a little early to say this, but let’s roll with it–Aldo could be the most dynamic pound-for-pound striker in MMA since Mirko Cro Cop hit the scene in Pride.
At 155, no fighters come to mind that could compete with the speed and, for lack of a better term, suddenness of his striking.
Of course that is to be expected of a lighter fighter, but the difference is Aldo punches like a mule. If he touches your chin, you’re going to sleep.
Would his power move up in weight with him? Could he hang on the ground with the bigger boys? I guess we’ll never know until and if it happens.
Comments
Is WEC part of UFC?? and if not, why isn't Aldo in the UFC?
Zuffa owns WEC it gives the other divisions a mainstream to see. It also becomes a stepping stone to the bigger UFC weight divisions later. I believe Carlos Conduit came from WEC as well as many others.
Condit did come from the WEC, and I'm so glad he did.
i think we dont need to go as far as the UFC.
there is a lot of great fighters in the WEC at 155.
Ben Henderson, Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone and Jamie Varner
i really dont think he can get past these guys unless he pack some serious weight , he is already 160 cutting to 145.
But most Lightweights are 170 cutting to 155 so he needs at least 10 more pounds and even then Cerrone is 6'1" while Aldo is 5'7"
i guess we will have to wait and see.
The UFC not only owns the WEC, but don't be surprised if they eventually absorb the WEC completely, which would mean that the WEC would go away and the best WEC fighters would join the UFC. This may happen sooner rather than later, and at the same time I would expect the UFC to add the lighter weight division(s). Aldo will end up in the UFC one way or another, whether it is at his current weight or LW, and he could definitely compete at LW.
The current UFC LW champ is no bigger than Aldo. Jose could be a very dangerous opponent for anyone at 155. As for his take down defence; if you doubt it watch he fight against Mike Brown.
UFC will absorb WEC eventually, just wait and see.
UFC + WEC = Bigger and better UFC.... Simple Math.
He should fight for the 155 belt in the WEC first before thinking about moving to the UFC
size isnt everything look at frankie edgar
I'm sure he could. As long as his body takes well to gaining weight and keeping it on. When your talking a guy like Alves who has already filled out his physical body frame VS height, going up would make no sense.
Aldo on the other hand could move up in weight and his height would still be even or taller than that division.
I would like to see Miguel Torres move up in weight.
Aldo would do good in UFC LW division. I don't see him beating Edgar and maybe a couple of others but he would certainly have some success, though he's never competed against the class that there is in the UFC LW division.
i hope he stays featherweight and just murks mans ateast for a year or two longer