Jose Aldo won’t be riding to UFC 196 rescue and Conor McGregor rematch

Jose Aldo said he would only fight again for the featherweight title, he just won't be doing it on 11 days' notice.

The dethroned featherweight champion lost in 13 seconds to The Notorious at UFC 194. He probably mulled over an offer, from UFC president Dana White, before making his mind up. He turned it down. That is according to his coach, Andrew Pederneiras at least. As it stands, there is still no replacement for lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, who broke his foot in a sparring session this week. Pederneiras told Combate: 

"Dana [White] called me, telling what happened and asking if Aldo was in shape to fight. "I said he wasn’t and that there wasn’t enough time, and unfortunately he wouldn’t be able to fight next week."

In a recent media scrum in Rio, Aldo confirmed he was back in training 'adjusting my weapons and getting better'. Pederneiras says Aldo is just back in the gym after being advised to sit out contact work after UFC 194. He believes there is no way his man could get ready for a possible five-round fight in less than two weeks. Prior to that, on January 27, Aldo posted on his Instagram account that he would only return to the UFC for a title fight or another crack at McGregor; whatever came first. He wrote:

"My only exception would be fighting [McGregor] at any time, anywhere, and once that he is afraid and knows that I'm gonna win... Doesn't have to be title fight against him. Keep my belt, but I wanna whoop (your) ass anywhere."

It would appear that any time and anywhere does not include March 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It would also appear that talk is cheap.