Report and photo Eduardo Ferreira, directly from Las Vegas

Enjoying his deserved rest in Las Vegas, José Aldo talked to TATAME directly from the United Stated and told us about his next challenges on WEC. The tough guy revealed he does not know who will be the next opponent on a belt dispute, but Manny Gamburyan is pointed out as the most probable name, and talked about the possibility of changing divisions. “The possibility indeed exist, I can go both to a lighter or a heavier division, but first I want to build a solid careen on the featherweight division… Then, who knows?”, said WEC’s champion, talking about the harassment of the American fans, the domain of Nova União on international MMA and a lot more. Check below the exclusive interview, directly from Las Vegas.

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You are here in Las Vegas, where will happen the UFC Fan Expo. How do the fans react when they see you?

They come to me a lot, and I’m really happy because when you become a champion you get this too. I believe it’s an affection and admiration thing they to because they like our work, so it’s a great thing.

You were here helping Shaolin and came back to Brazil. Will you stay here much longer this time?

Yes, I was in New York helping Loro, then we went to Brazil and I went with him because he would fight there. Now I’ll stay here for maybe a week with my wife to rest a bit and then I’ll go back to Brazil.

When do you expect to come back here?

I think on the 6th. I’ll go on Sunday and get on Brazil on Monday. When I arrive in Brazil I’ll come back to the trainings and I’ll start to prepare myself for any challenge that comes along.

Do you have any idea of who will be your next opponent?

I don’t really know. When we left Sacramento there were two names we had in mind, but I think maybe it will be Manny Gamburyan, so I can’t really say. We are here now, but I believe we will only know this for sure in some time, I think we will have to wait a bit longer.

If it is Manny Gamburyan, what will be your game plan? Will you do what you always do and try to keep it standing or may we have a surprise?

I have to follow my strategy. I have to know who I will fight against, and I think Dedé (Pederneiras) is working on that direction. If it’s Manny, we will sit down and set a game plan for me to fight against him.

After you won the belt many people talked about the possibility of changing division to a lighter or a heavier weight division, but you said you wanted to defend your belt sometimes. Is this division change, in fact, a possibility to consider?

Yes, it’s possible that I can to a lighter or a heavier division, but I sure want to do some belt defenses first, I want to build a solid career on the featherweight division. But, in the future, I may take a risk and change divisions.

In Japan, Marlon is making good presentations, and will dispute the belt in the U.S. now. On the until 60kg there is Wagnney and Barão will debut too. How do you see these categories?

It’s bringing results, right? It’s a work Dedé has been doing for years and now the results are starting to come and I this is a good generation, but I believe others will come, like Eduardo Dantas, who I believe that is a great name. We are very happy because it’s a work we all have been doing and now we are being recognized, so it’s a good thing.

You trained Boxing with Manny Pacquiao’s coach. Will you do other exchange program or will you train with the guys in Rio de Janeiro?

Yes, I actually spoke with Dorea and said I want to spend some time in Salvador to work my legs and hands from the boxing trainings, so maybe I’ll go there for a while to train with coach Dorea.