Jose Aldo discusses plans to capture bantamweight gold as retirement nears

Jose Aldo can see the finish line for his MMA career, but he still has championship aspirations before that day arrives.

Considered by many as the best featherweight of all time, Aldo admitted in an interview with Combate that he is very close to fulfilling a promise that he made to Nova Unaio coach Andre Pederneiras that he would retire by age 35 after winning two UFC belts.

“In the beginning I told Dedé that at 35 I would be champion and I would retire,” Aldo said. “That's why I say it's very close to my retirement, but I said I would come out as champion. So, you can put Merab [Dvalishvili], who is a tough guy, well ranked and nobody wants to fight, and I'm going to beat him, and then I'm going to win the title, because it was already written.”

Aldo is slated to face Dvalishvili in a pivotal bantamweight bout at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug 20. Aldo believes his experience will make the difference in that fight.

“I always say that the best defense always takes advantage of the attack,” Aldo says. “And that's [how I answer his biggest strength.] I see this fight going very smoothly, because what he's going to [attempt to do] to me I've been used to doing for years, and even with my eyes closed I can [respond].

“When I start [pressuring], I know he's going to try to do what he knows how to do best, and that's when I'm going to do even better.”

Aldo also pointed to Aljamain Sterling as a clear favorite in his expected title defense against T.J. Dillashaw. The Nova Uniao standout was not surprised to see Sterling emerge victorious from his rematch with Petr Yan earlier this year.

“I knew he would win the second fight against Petr Yan and then we would fight. It's going to happen, and it's also a fight where his best is my best,” Also said. “I fought for years and I'm used to his style. And that's why I say I will be the champion. I already have everything that is going to happen in my mind and I know that I will win.”