Reigning UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has major aspirations for himself.
Rightfully so, "Scarface" has set a benchmark for the lighter weight fighters in the game. Comfortably seated at the number two spot in the UFC's top ten pound-for-pound fighter rankings, Aldo's skillset, combined with his tenacity and experience has made him one of the most successful fighters today.
After successfully defending his title against top contender Chad "Money" Mendes at UFC 179 in October, Aldo has continued to solidify his place in history. And as if being able to stay undefeated for nine straight years and defending his title for a total of nine times, the lone Brazilian UFC champion feels he still has something bigger to achieve.
"I'm sure that I'm on of the best of all time," Aldo said in an exclusive interview with Brazilian media outlet Combate.com. "I don't see where am I yet. When I stop, I want to be the greatest of all. I still seek some achievements."
True enough, Aldo has been the only featherweight champion in mixed martial arts to ever mainstream recognition and be lined up against the world's greatest. And every time he fought them, he has emerged victorious.
That being said, the 28-year old Nova Uniao representative is looking to carry on with these achievements until the day he decides to hang up the gloves for good.
"I'm the only UFC 145-pound champion in history and I want to keep that way until I retire," he adds. "I also want to break all the UFC records in a way that my name will be printed forever."
The manner of which Aldo had barreled through every single one of his opponents has been nothing less than spectacular. And naturally, most pundits have clamored for him to take on bigger challenges. One of the names that had been floating around is a potential superfight with reigning lightweight champion Anthony "Showtime" Pettis.
While Aldo admits that facing Pettis did cross his mind, he says that the final decision would still need to come from the UFC.
"I'm a patient guy and would be happy if the UFC decides for that," Aldo explains. "Otherwise I'll keep fighting at Featherweight division."
Of course, as the sport continues to evolve, so do its combatants. As each year passes, a new name emerges from the woodwork, with the same claim to achieve greatness in the long run.
For the 145-pound division, Irishman Conor McGregor has made his intentions known through various antics and claims of being already crowned the champion as early as now.
But for Aldo, McGregor just remains to be one of the guys who wants what he has.
"When they schedule this fight, I'll study him, then I'll be able to speak," Aldo says. "The division is in a mix right now and it's good. I'll face anyone that the UFC put against me and I'll win."
