I know, I know- it's never happening. Dana and the UFC will never let him go, so this is just day dreaming. But part of the fun of MMA is day dreaming 'what if' scenarios. It's what makes fight announcements so fun and gets hype machines rolling- imagining what could happen until we see both fighters touch gloves and bring those dreams to life. So if this crazy scenario, ('Aldo signs with Bellator'), ever did become reality, here are some of the fights I'd have lined up and waiting for him...
Daniel Straus
We'll start with the most obvious- the UFC's interim FW champion vs Bellator's reigning FW champion. You couldn't include photos of Aldo holding his title in any promo shots or videos, but MMA fans know. Straus has power in his shots, and great takedowns. Aldo has some of the best leg kicks ever and his takedown defense is the stuff of legend. The fight sells itself, unless Aldo is tired of cutting weight. In which case.....
Michael Chandler
Weight cuts are a bitch and Aldo has long hinted at making the jump to 155. And if so, he jumps the line and gets the title shot. He'd be the biggest free agent signing in Bellator history. Chandler has already expressed interest in the fight, and has all the tools necessary to make Aldo first trip to 155 a hellish one. That is of course if Chandler is still the champ at 155. if not....
Benson Henderson
To remain champion, Chandler has to clear this hurdle first, and that is far from guarenteed. To count out Benson for taking WW champion Koreshkov to a decision and breaking Pitbull's leg is mistaken. He was LW champion while Aldo was FW champion, and could very well be LW champion again by the time Aldo arrives.
Patricio Pitbull
He has the most fights, wins, and finishes in Bellator history. And he's wanted this fight for a long time. While he was FW champ in Bellator, he was asked repeatedly how he would fair against Aldo, saying-
“He’s fast and he has good power, but my hands are better. My footwork is better, too, and I can take down my opponents. I am the best fighter.” Aldo had this to say- "It would be a great fight," Aldo said. "We’re both aggressive fighters, we’re the best featherweights in the world. The champions, the titleholders. It would be a great fight, no doubt about it."
Chinzo Machida
We all saw his knockout debut with the company. That uppercut was spectacular and knocked him from the prelims to the main card the next time he fights. And with his name, he is just a win or two away from a title fight. And the Machida style has done very well with wrestlers. And I'd just really love to see it
'Aldo vs Machida' moves my needle and would draw in a large audience.
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