Despite a few initial reservations, it appears UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (22-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will indeed face Anthony Pettis (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC).
UFC President Dana White today revealed during an online chat session that Aldo's camp has (finally) agreed to the fight.
"The Aldo fight is on," White said. "It's done. The fight's done: Pettis vs. Aldo in August."
USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie.com earlier this month first reported the planned booking, which sees Pettis drop from 155 pounds to face the featherweight champ. However, White on Saturday said Aldo's manager, Andre Pederneiras, recently approached him to ask for a different arrangement.
"Andre Pederneiras was in England and he sat down with me and Lorenzo (Fertitta) and was like, 'We don't think he deserves it,'" White explained. "What do you mean you don't think he deserves it? 'Well, he might be the No. 1 guy at 155, but how does that make him the No. 1 guy (at 145)?' Are you out of your f---ing mind? Are you serious? Did you seriously just ask me that question?
"It's like if Aldo wanted to move up to 155, are we going to say he's not the No. 1 contender? What are you talking about?"
Aldo's camp has since reconsidered, and White said Pederneiras called to accept the challenge as it was originally presented.
"Aldo vs Pettis, and it's for Aldo's UFC 145-pound title," White wrote on Twitter.
The Aldo vs. Pettis bout is expected to headline an as-yet-unannounced Aug. 3 event at a location yet to be determined.
Source: MMAJunkie.com