Aldo Pointed Towards Hominick for Next WEC Title Defense

Considered by many to be one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters, World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion Jose Aldo appears to have lined up his next challenger.

In an interview with Tatame.com, Aldo pointed to Canadian Mark Hominick as a likely opponent, perhaps as soon as January. Sherdog.com could not independently confirm the matchup with representatives from the two featherweights’ camps.

“Whoever it may be, I always respect everybody,” Aldo told Tatame.com. “We may already have a title defense in January with Mark Hominick, a Canadian very good in kickboxing.”

Aldo, a Nova Uniao standout, has won 11 straight fights and has not lost in almost five years. He has 14 finishes, including 12 knockouts, among his 18 victories and is coming off a second-round knockout of Manny Gamburyan at WEC 51 in September. Along with Gamburyan, the 24-year-old Aldo holds notable wins over former WEC 145-pound kingpins Urijah Faber and Mike Thomas Brown, Cub Swanson, “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 12 cast member Jonathan Brookins and former Shooto world champion Alexandre Franca Nogueira.

Hominick, who hails from London, Ontario, Canada, will bring a four-fight winning streak into his next appearance. In his last bout, he earned a split-decision victory over Leonard Garcia at WEC 51. Prior to that, Hominick had rung up a second-round knockout of Yves Jabouin and a pair of submission victories over Savant Young and Bryan Caraway. With 15 finishes among his 19 victories, Hominick has proven adept standing and on the ground.


http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Aldo-Pointed-Towards-Hominick-for-Next-WEC-Title-Defense-27602

Although rumors may suggest a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and Mark Hominick is imminent, sources close to the organization today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the fight is far from a done deal.

In fact, a few other 145-pounders are apparently receiving legitimate consideration as Aldo's next opponent.

Aldo (18-1 MMA, 8-0 WEC), of course, has emerged as one of the sport's pound-for-pound kingpins thanks to an 11-fight win streak and a recent knockout win over Manny Gamburyan, which moved the champ to 8-0 in the WEC.

According to a recent interview with Tatame.com, Aldo expects Hominick to be his next opponent.

But that may not be the case. WEC officials declined to comment on the possibility and simply said nothing has been decided regarding Aldo's next fight. But additional sources said other candidates are under consideration.

Hominick (19-8 MMA, 3-2 WEC), of course, recently picked up his third consecutive WEC win with a split-decision victory over Leonard Garcia at WEC 51. Prior to that, he stopped Bryan Carawy (in a "Fight of the Night" award winner) and Yves Jabouin.

But in addition to Hominick, sources said another fighter could receive consideration as Aldo's next challenger. And he already owns a past victory over Hominick, a crowd-pleasing Canadian kickboxer who is 6-1 over his past seven fights.

So who's the other fighter? Josh Grispi (14-1 MMA, 4-0 WEC), who takes a 10-fight win streak and perfect 4-0 WEC record into next month's WEC 52 meeting with Erik Koch (10-1 MMA, 2-1 WEC).

Hurting Grispi is a little lack of starpower. The fighter's quick ascent up the featherweight ladder has been derailed by two separate year-long layoffs. The most recent came in June 2009 when an ankle injury, which he suffered a few days prior to a WEC 41 victory over Jens Pulver, ultimately required surgery and a lengthy recovery time.

Grispi, though, made his return earlier this year, when he topped L.C. Davis via submission at WEC 49 in June. If he can tack on an impressive and convincing win over Koch next month, he may have just the momentum he needs to challenge Hominick for top-contender status and a possible shot at Aldo's belt.

In the UFC's deep 145-pound division, a few other fighters also are on the fringe of contendership. While likely a few rungs below Hominick and Grispi on the ladder, either undefeated Chad Mendes (8-0 MMA, 3-0 WEC) or game veteran Javier Vazquez (15-4 MMA, 2-2 WEC) could make a case for title consideration when they meet at WEC 52.

The same goes for Diego Nunes (15-1 MMA, 4-1 WEC), who recently earned a decision win over Tyler Toner at WEC 51. Nunes is likely on that lower rung with Mendes and Vazquez, but another win could put him toward the top. And even though Nunes recently began training with Aldo, the two Nova Uniao fighters said they wouldn't have a problem fighting each other if a title is on the line.

Additionally, while unlikely to receive an immediate title shot upon his arrival, MMAjunkie.com has confirmed reports out of Japan that PRIDE/UFC/Sengoku/DREAM vet Michihiro Omigawa (12-8-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC) has been offered a fight in the WEC and could debut as soon as December's WEC 53 event.

Omigawa specifically wanted a fight with Chan Sung Jung, who has become a bitter and public rival. And though that fight appears to be off the table, WEC officials apparently are hopeful the Japanese fighter and top-10-ranked 145-pounder will bring his four-fight win streak to the organization before year's end.

Like it's sister promotion, the UFC, the WEC sometimes goes with the hot hand when determining championship challengers. Hominick currently holds that unofficial title, but next month's WEC 52 event could provide a shakeup. And as we learned over the weekend, Aldo may already be looking to challenges outside the promotion, including those in the lightweight division.


http://mmajunkie.com/news/21067/wec-champ-jose-aldos-next-challenge-mark-hominick-not-the-only-candidate.mma

Jose Aldo turned down fight vs. Florian, Florian game

WEC featherweight Champion Jose Aldo revealed to TATAME that he has been offered a fight against Kenny Florian, in which he’d move up to fight Kenny Florian, in December.

According to the fighter, his managers declined the bout. “They made the proposal. I wanna fight, it can be at WEC or in the UFC”, he told TATAME.

With the negative, Aldo will face Mark Hominick in January, while Kenny Florian fights Evan Duham at UFC 126.

http://www.tatame.com/2010/10/19/UFC-planned-Aldo-vs-Florian-in-December--

http://www.heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2010/11/jose-aldo-out-of-ufc-125-bout-with-josh-grispi/




UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has withdrawn from his UFC 125 co-main event bout with Josh Grispi.
Sources close to the event notified Heavy.com of the news this afternoon.

A compacted vertebrae was causing tingling in Aldo’s arms.

Aldo received his new featherweight title in a private ceremony this weekend from UFC President Dana White.




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Shit news! I wonder what the UFC will replace that fight with now?

that sucks,and is a huge knock to the card,can't think of anything to replace it off the top of my head,but lets hope he's not out of action for too long,because I can't wait to see Aldo on a UFC card.

Vera and Thiago Silva will be on the main card instead i reckon. Still a good card i reckon but this is a blow for everyone wanting to see Aldo in the UFC.

Grispi is a tough guy aswell, this was shaping up to be a really good fight. Maybe reschedule for UFC 127? That would make sense.

What about Guida- Gomi for the co-main event?

Another poor new years card from the UFC. Edgar-Maynard couldn't sell out a bingo hall, never mind an arena. PPV's will be shocking for this one.

they will need to replace this fight as i was looking forword to 2 titles.

Terrible news for 125 for me was the highlight of teh card, Personally i'd like to see the Dominick Cruz v Scott Jorgensen fight moved up to Ufc125 as its going to be an absolute war! Even stick faber in there shouldnt have taken much damage at WEC 52

Definatly think it should be a high profile WEC fight these guys need to be seen by the masses,

They could always move one of the 126 fights up, Jones- Bader or Franklin- Griffin would be a good enough co-main for 125 IMO.

The_Axe_Emperor wrote:They could always move one of the 126 fights up, Jones- Bader or Franklin- Griffin would be a good enough co-main for 125 IMO.

maybe but that would weaken another card.

ALDO COULD STILL FIGHT AT 125


Josh Gross of Sports Illustrated has added a new bit of info to the Jose Aldo injury situation via Twitter:

Hmm. Revise Aldo's "out" to the fight's in "jeopardy." Aldo just told his management he will fight regardless. I'm not so sure that happens.

Last night it was announced by Heavy MMA that Aldo was out of his UFC 125 fight with a compressed disc in his neck that was causing tingling in his fingers. I'm with Gross that it seems somewhat unlikely that Aldo would be allowed to fight with a neck injury by his management, his camp, the UFC or the athletic commission.

Neck injuries are simply too serious and even if this is a low risk (relative to spinal injuries) it's likely better for Aldo to recover first and not risk his undeniably bright future.



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Anyway King, its all about time. If they move one of the fights i mentioned up, they free up a spot on the 126 card for someone who probably wouldn't have been fit for 125. Aldo for example, he might not be fully fit in time for 125, but could be ready to go for 126, its just a question of timing.

The_Axe_Emperor wrote:ALDO COULD STILL FIGHT AT 125


Josh Gross of Sports Illustrated has added a new bit of info to the Jose Aldo injury situation via Twitter:

Hmm. Revise Aldo's "out" to the fight's in "jeopardy." Aldo just told his management he will fight regardless. I'm not so sure that happens.

Last night it was announced by Heavy MMA that Aldo was out of his UFC 125 fight with a compressed disc in his neck that was causing tingling in his fingers. I'm with Gross that it seems somewhat unlikely that Aldo would be allowed to fight with a neck injury by his management, his camp, the UFC or the athletic commission.

Neck injuries are simply too serious and even if this is a low risk (relative to spinal injuries) it's likely better for Aldo to recover first and not risk his undeniably bright future.

true axe, id like to see ufc get the timing of title fights right during 2011 so we could have a title fight on every ufc card we now have what 7 titles thats enough to make that happen.

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Anyway King, its all about time. If they move one of the fights i mentioned up, they free up a spot on the 126 card for someone who probably wouldn't have been fit for 125. Aldo for example, he might not be fully fit in time for 125, but could be ready to go for 126, its just a question of timing.

true axe, id like to see ufc get the timing of title fights right during 2011 so we could have a title fight on every ufc card we now have what 7 titles thats enough to make that happen.

Do you think that the UFC have enough featherweights to make competitive title fights?
Are there some decent japanese fighters at that weight?

threeofclubs wrote:Do you think that the UFC have enough featherweights to make competitive title fights?
Are there some decent japanese fighters at that weight?

yeah but they all fight in Japan where the pay for lower weights is better, in general...not to mention guys like Uno and KID are more popular there so they are worth more anyway.

The guy i can see going to the UFC is Omigawa, because he takes fights in DREAM on a single fight to fight basis...and considering they didnt give him the title shot on dynamite, the will probably go to the UFC unless they give him Aoki.

Hiroyuki Takaya
Michihiro Omigawa
Mitsuhiro Ishida
KID Yamamoto
Caol Uno
Hatsu Hioki
Masanori Kanehara
Hideo Tokoro
Kazyuki Miyata

are all guys UFC should be looking at if they want to improve their division.

Maybe now that he is in the UFC they will start paying them much more?
I have heard people say that they have no interest in featherweights as they are too small
but in boxing the 147lb division (welterweight) has incredible fights.

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are the same size as Aldo and they are the top 2 boxers in the world. The smaller the fighters, the better the fight.

Anfields5thKing wrote:Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are the same size as Aldo and they are the top 2 boxers in the world. The smaller the fighters, the better the fight.

iv found that out watching fights from dream some of the can go high tempo for 15 mins and not gas.

Apparently there is a replacement lined up for Aldo - Dustin Poirier.

Good up and comer but this surely will not be a co-main now!