Aldo ‘knew’ McGregor’s belt would be stripped

Aldo says he plans to defend his title in February or March, most likely against the winner of December’s interim title bout between Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis at UFC 206. After that, Aldo is targeting a rematch with McGregor.

I think both are very tough fights for him, either at lightweight with Khabib [Nurmagomedov] or a rematch with me. So he chose to let go of mine. It’s no problem. Of course, first I want to do a [title] defense and then, yes, I will want to pursue a fight with [McGregor]…I think I’ve always been the champion, and I will always be the champion. As long as I’m at featherweight, no matter what happens, I’ll keep being the champion. So this, for me, was something that was already certain. The minute I lost, I knew, the next day, the belt would be mine again. It was just a matter of time…That was a fact I knew would happen, that he would drop a belt, my belt or the lightweight. It’s a tough fight for him at lightweight, with Khabib [Nurmagomedov], or a rematch with me, so he preferred to drop mine (belt). No problem…I lost that fight because of an accident. I knew that I would win a rematch, that I would be champion again. It’s not my fault that he’s such a pu–y he was never the champion. I don’t see myself losing to anyone in this division or any other [division]….Of course, [it was] not the way I wanted, but I’m happy because I know I’m the champion…now we’re already making the arrangements to fight in the future. I think maybe in February or March we’ll be fighting hopefully. I don’t want to wait too long because it’s been a while since my last fight. I don’t want to go too long without fighting.”