First there was Jose Aldo’s lineal UFC featherweight title. Then there was Conor McGregor’s interim title. Then McGregor unified his belt with Aldo’s when he knocked the Brazilian out in 13 seconds. Then McGregor refused to defend his title, instead fighting Nate Diaz and insisting on an immediate rematch. Then Aldo won an interim title when he beat Frankie Edgar at UFC 200. Then McGregor vacated his title and Aldo was promoted to full-time champion again. Then the UFC introduced another interim title, which Max Holloway won when he stopped Anthony Pettis at UFC 206.
The UFC’s 145-pound division has been rather chaotic the past couple years but hopefully after UFC 212 some semblance of normalcy will be restored when Aldo and Holloway unify their belts.
The UFC announced the two featherweight stars will headline the UFC’s return to Rio de Janeiro on June 3.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/830698057830260736
No other fights have been added to the card at this time.
This matchup had been originally proposed for UFC 208 on Feb. 11 in Brooklyn, N.Y., however Holloway was dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in his fight with Pettis. Holloway has won 10 consecutive fights, while Aldo looks to once again prove to the world he’s the top featherweight in MMA.
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