Aldo: Holloway fight off, expects interim lightweight title bout instead

If Jose Aldo is to be believed, the UFC featherweight title picture could soon become even more convoluted.

Aldo was recently promoted to undisputed 145-pound champion after reigning titleholder Conor McGregor successfully moved up a division to claim the lightweight crown and was asked to relinquish one of his belts. With McGregor taking an indefinite break and Aldo having issues with the promotion, an interim featherweight belt was created that was won by Max Holloway at UFC 206.

Following Holloway's victory, it was believed that he would face Aldo in Brooklyn on Feb. 11, but Aldo told MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani that he now expects to jump up to 155 pounds and vie for an interim lightweight championship.

"No, the Brooklyn fight is not happening," Aldo said. "I now expect and believe I will be fighting in early March. Either March 3 or March 4, I can't remember. I believe they will soon announce an interim lightweight title fight with me. They've been trying to find me an opponent, and - surprise, surprise - at least one has already turned down the fight against me. I'm waiting to see who they will find."

According to Aldo, Holloway had several excuses as to why a Brooklyn meeting would not work out (ranging from a lingering ankle injury to wanting to take time off for his family), and he accused both Holloway and McGregor of ducking him.

As for the unnamed lightweight opponent, Aldo said the fighter unexpectedly turned the offer down "because his father didn't think it was good," an apparent allusion to No. 1 contender Khabib Nurmagomedov, whose father, Abdulmanap, has played an active role in his son's career as a coach and adviser.

That suspicion was confirmed by Holloway, who quickly responded to Aldo's comments:

Aldo most recently fought at UFC 200 on July 9, a unanimous decision win in a rematch with Frankie Edgar that earned him the then-interim featherweight championship. Should he move to lightweight and capture an interim title there, it's unclear what would happen to the belt currently around his waist.