With Figueiredo off the table, Garbrandt eyes Aldo

Cody Garbrandt has his sights set on a fellow former UFC champion: Jose Aldo.

Since Deiveson Figueiredo will likely defend his flyweight title in a rematch with Brandon Moreno, the former bantamweight titleholder wants to face Aldo in April, he told TSN's Aaron Bronsteter on Tuesday.

"No ill will toward the guy. I'm just a competitive guy that wants to fight the best," Garbrandt said. "He looked good in his last fight. He came off losing a title (fight), and prior to that, I feel like he beat Marlon (Moraes).

"It's a great fight," Garbrandt continued. "It's a fight that motivates me. I need those fights that are going to get me up and make me put the extra work in. He's on the chopping block, so I hope he wants to get down, too."

Garbrandt was scheduled to move down in weight to face Figueiredo for the 125-pound title last November, but COVID-19 issues forced him to withdraw.

After Figueiredo's December clash against Moreno resulted in a "Fight of the Year" candidate, UFC president Dana White committed to booking a rematch, leaving Garbrandt out of the immediate title picture. White recently said he expects the second bout to take place in April.

Garbrandt, who held the 135-pound belt from December 2016 to November 2017, is coming off last June's brutal knockout win over Raphael Assuncao.

Aldo, a former featherweight champion and one of the greatest fighters of all time, returned to the win column late last year with a decision victory over Marlon Vera.