Featherweight (145 lbs.)
Current title holder: Jose ‘Scarface’ Aldo
Ever since the UFC swallowed up the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and integrated the latter’s elite fighters into their roster, Jose Aldo has undoubtedly been the most marketable and dominant fighter to make the transition. ‘Scarface’ was scheduled to make a title defense on October 13 in Brazil at UFC 153 against Eric Koch.
As has been almost expected as of late, Koch was injured in training and the event was in jeopardy of losing its headliner. Nonetheless, former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar stepped up to the plate and agreed to a super fight with Aldo that had fans and commentators salivating. Alas, it was not meant to be as Jose Aldo was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle and was forced to pull out due to injury.
The divisional title picture is now hazy since we have yet to receive word on a possible return for Aldo. Complicating matters is the fact that Frankie Edgar is unproven in the weight class. Therefore, it begs the question: who should get the title shot upon ‘Scarface’s’ return? Koch, who paid his dues in the featherweight division, or Edgar, a former champion who will make the fight much more marketable to the casual fan?
Either way, I would imagine that the UFC matchmakers will settle on one of the two as Aldo’s next opponent sometime in the early part of 2013.
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