After Jose Aldo outscored Marlon Vera earlier this month, the legendary fighter called for a fight with former bantamweight champ, T.J. Dillashaw. But, the manager for Cody Garbrandt, Ali Abdelaziz, wants to see ‘No Love’ throw hands with Aldo next.

Abdelaziz says Dillashaw should sit “down”

Aldo worked his way to a decision win over Vera at UFC Vegas 17, and afterward, he made his case for a bout with Dillashaw. The latter is about to complete a two-year suspended he was handed by USADA in January, 2019, after testing positive for banned substances.

Garbrandt was supposed to fight flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo in November. But, due to medical issues, ‘No Love’s’ flyweight debut was postponed. 

Since Figueiredo battled Brandon Moreno to a draw at UFC 256 earlier this month, the plan is to have the two run it back. So, Garbrandt’s next fight is up in the air.

Well, recently Abdelaziz spoke with MMA Junkie, and he made the following proposal.

“I’m interested in Cody Garbrandt vs. Jose Aldo at 135 pounds,” Abdelaziz said. “If the flyweight champ is available, 100 percent Cody is the No. 1 contender.

That’s what Dana White says. If he’s not available, everybody is booked or coming from losses.

“I think Cody needs a fight to get him up, and I think Jose Aldo is a fight to get him up. I think that’s a five-round fight, main event. Why not?”

And what about Aldo versus Dillashaw?

“I think T.J. needs to sit his ass down,” Abdelaziz said. “He’s not even in the rankings – or maybe he can fight Rob Font or some of these guys.

But Cody Garbandt vs. Jose Aldo, I think that would be a huge fight for the UFC.”

On paper, there’s a lot to like about Aldo versus Garbrandt. No question. But, you could say the same thing about Aldo versus Dillashaw as well.

What will be a key, determining factor in all this is whether the UFC intends to give Dillashaw an immediate title in his return. The former champ has claimed he’s been told he will get that. 

Fighting at 125 and 135?

The other piece to this is that Garbrandt was preparing to make the drop to flyweight. So, does the UFC want to put Garbrandt into a fight at 135 again, potentially with title shot implications?

It sounds like Abdelaziz sees Garbrandt competing in both divisions.

“No disrespect to the champs at ’25 or ’35, Cody is the biggest name in these two divisions,” Abdelaziz said. “He’s one of the biggest stars in either division.

For the divisions to grow, they need names like Cody. Cody brings in the superstar factor. Win or lose or draw, it’s good for everybody.

“A healthy, focused Cody Garbrandt is a very dangerous Cody Garbrandt. I think he can beat anybody on any given night, as long as he is healthy and focused, and I believe he matches up with the champ at 125 very well.

I think he’ll knock him out. I think stylistically, Cody is a very bad matchup for Petr Yan, too.

To be honest with you, I think Cody, he fights Aldo, he wins, he goes down and fights at ’25 and then comes back and try to be a double champ.”

We shall see what happens. Garbrandt (12-3) ended a three-fight losing streak in June by knocking out Raphael Assuncao.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: