5. Jose Aldo has proven to be one of the more dominating fighters in MMA today. If he were to move down to 135 and fight Dominick Cruz for the title, who would you take? What about if the UFC came calling and had him fight Frankie Edgar for the lightweight belt?
Jones: I have to pick Aldo against Cruz. I like Cruz a lot, but their common opponent is Urijah Faber, and while everyone knows how that went when Aldo fought him, Cruz lost in the second round. Cruz has improved tremendously since then and has dropped down a weight class, but even so, Aldo is reminiscent of a 2008 Anderson Silva right now, and I can’t bet against that fighter. It’s tougher for me to stick with Aldo against Edgar, but Edgar’s relative small size as a Lightweight wouldn’t pose a great problem to Aldo. Aldo presumably would maintain his quickness, which I think would be a huge advantage against Edgar and would held Aldo earn the victory.
Lawson: I would pick Aldo in both of those fights. He is incredibly fast and explosive. His hands are excellent and his ground game is top-notch. I just don’t see how either Cruz or Edgar would be able to handle that guy.
Loco: Tough to bet against Aldo at this point. He is on a killing spree, and he has the size to fit into 135, 45, and 55. I think that both Edgar and Cruz would give him trouble. Dominick is so unorthodox and quick, and he doesn’t get tired. Hell, Brock Lesnar would have fits with him. I like Cruz in that fight. As far as Edgar goes, I doubt that he would want to stand and trade with him. It’d be up to Edgar utilizing his wrestling and negating both Aldo’s standup and BJJ. I like Edgar. But that shouldn’t discourage Aldo from jumping weights, I wanna see these fights.
Kyte: Aldo, all day, in both cases. Right now, until someone stops him, I’m taking Aldo over anyone between 135-155, including BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar and any other UFC lightweight. The kid is a monster and has such an incredible skill set that it’s going to be hard for someone to stop him.
Brown: Full disclosure, I think Jose Aldo is probably the 3rd or 4th best pound for pound fighter in the sport. Therefore, I’d have him winning either of these fights. Further, I think he’d be a pretty big favorite in either fight too. He walked through Urijah and Urijah beat Cruz easily. Cruz has improved, but I don’t think he’s at a Jose Aldo level. Aldo’s the same size as Frankie Edgar, but a better striker and better BJJ. There’s a good chance I’d pick him to beat any 35, 45, or 55 pound fighter in the world right now. If Jose Aldo wants all three belts, I think he could have them.
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