It’s customary in combat sports that when a long-standing champion loses, they are granted an immediate rematch. A lot of times, it’s written into the fight contract.
When Chris Weidman ended Anderson Silva’s seven-year reign as middleweight champion, Silva was granted an immediate rematch. BJ Penn was given an immediate rematch after Frankie Edgar defeated him at UFC 112 for the lightweight title. Former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was defeated by Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188 and a rematch is lined up for UFC 196 in February. The list goes on and on.
In the most recent case of a champion getting an immediate rematch, former women’s bantamweight titleholder Ronda Rousey was dethroned by Holly Holm at UFC 193 and a rematch is expected to take place at UFC 200 in July, according to UFC president Dana White.
RELATED > Dana White Confirms Ronda Rousey Gets Immediate Rematch
Conor McGregor became only the second featherweight champion in UFC history when he knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194 over the weekend. Aldo called for an immediate rematch following the fight, but will he get one?
Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones believes that Aldo should be extended the same courtesy as Rousey, especially considering his accolades compared to hers.
If Rousey is granted an immediate rematch I would expect the same treatment for Aldo. It only seems right https://t.co/taoqVItasU
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 14, 2015
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Aldo became the 145-pound world champion when he defeated Mike Brown at WEC 44 in November 2009, two years before Rousey made her professional fighting debut. He was later named the UFC featherweight champion when the two organizations merged late in 2010. He defended his UFC title seven times, nine times if you include his two successful WEC title defenses. Heading into the UFC 194 main event against McGregor, Aldo was the top ranked pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and hadn’t lost a fight in over a decade.
Rousey made her professional debut in March 2011. She won the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight title a year later in March 2012. She was named the UFC women’s bantamweight champion in November 2012 after Strikeforce closed its doors. She defended he title six times before being knocked out by Holm.
Edgar was promised the next featherweight title shot after his first-round knockout of Chad Mendes at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale the night before UFC 194. Whether he’ll actually get it remains unclear.
With all things considered, Jones brings up a valid point. If Rousey gets an immediate rematch, shouldn’t Aldo?
