Five Opponents For José Aldo If He Moved to the UFC LW Division

Jose Aldo, for those of you who don't know, is the current featherweight (145 lbs.) champion of WEC. Since he made his debut in June 2008, he has obliterated everyone thrown at him.

His method of destruction has been varied, be it from double flying knees, kicks, or quick flurries of punches that somewhat resemble Vitor Belfort's inhuman quickness, only faster.

He hasn't lost a fight in four years, and overall has amassed a 16-1 record. On Saturday night he will step into the cage to defend his belt for the first time.

His opponent will be the most dominant featherweight in MMA history; Urijah Faber. Urijah Faber defended his belt five times en route to the title of world's number 1 featherweight.

He lost his title to Mike Brown. Mike Brown lost his title to Jose Aldo. A fight with Urijah Faber almost had to happen.

But what is in the future for Jose Aldo if he destroys Urijah Faber on Saturday night in Sacramento?

He could stay employed with WEC and defend his belt, or he could vacate the belt and move up to the UFC lightweight division.

If he chooses to do that, I've assembled five fighters that would make awesome opponents for him.

Kenny Florian

Tell me, who wouldn't want to watch this fight? Kenny Florian posseses some of the meanest stand-up in the division.

Since his loss to BJ Penn, he has looked great, showing good head movement and anticipation of incoming punches.

He also has a dangerous ground game, one that has submitted many opponents, the most notable being Joe Stevenson, who is equally well versed on the mat.

Jose Aldo seemingly has an answer to all of this. His punches get from Point A to Point B so fast that Florian may not react fast enough to escape the punches (or kicks, or flying knees), and his black belt in BJJ could help him to avoid dangerous ground situations.

Gray Maynard

Another fight that would be certain to get a lot of views, Aldo vs. Maynard has Fight of the Night written all over it.

Gray Maynard is the brute force of the division, using his large frame to "Bully" his way towards decision victories, hence his nickname, "The Bully."

So far, Gray is undefeated in the Octagon, although it is only a matter of time until he loses. He relies on always being the larger fighter, and always being able to take his opponents down.

He hasn't really shown any great striking game. His success is purely based on his great wrestling. Take that away from him, and you take away his game.

Jose Aldo can do that. Again, his great speed would factor into this immensely.

Despite having phenomenal takedown defense, Jose Aldo has great takedown anticipation, and was even able to knee a shooting opponent in the face once.

Frankie Edgar

NOTE: This fight could be fought at both 155 or a catchweight of 150 lbs.

After UFC 112, Frankie Edgar is riding a wave of momentum, being the winner of his last four fights, including a win in his last fight against BJ Penn, the world's former best lightweight, and former UFC Champ.

We all know about Jose Aldo. This fight could possibly headline a UFC Fight Night if Frankie Edgar ever loses the belt and Jose Aldo decides to move up to lightweight.

When two fighters who always push the pace get together (Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez, Kevin Burns vs. Chris Lytle) the result is an excellent fight.

This fight is guaranteed to be an excellent fight, and when you add in the champ/former champ angle, it becomes a no-brainer. You can't go wrong.

Tyson Griffin

Tyson Griffin is a UFC veteran of 9 fights, with a 7-2 record since he has joined. His only losses are to former champion Sean Sherk and current champion Frankie Edgar.

Griffin is very big for a lightweight, and his style is similar to that of Gray Maynard's, although Griffin has also developed a decent striking game to compliment his ground game.

He has notable wins over Hermes Franca and Gleison Tibau. His next fight against Evan Dunham at UFC 115 will be a battle of the above-average gatekeeper in Tyson Griffin, and the up-and-comer in Dunham.

If Jose Aldo ever moved up to lightweight, a fight against Tyson Griffin would be an accurate gauge of how he fights against a big opponent who is well balanced everywhere the fight goes.

BJ Penn

Of course, BJ Penn had to make this list. A fight with Jose Aldo in the future would be a great addition to his career resume, win or lose.

Even the casual MMA fan would enjoy this fight, and the hardcore fan would salivate over this matchup.

BJ Penn is the owner of what is considered the best boxing in the sport. Jose Aldo is the owner of a savage Muay-Thai attack.

BJ Penn is an incredible grappler, considered one of the world's best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, especially for a non-Brazilian.

Jose Aldo is a black belt in BJJ, but he is largely untested on the ground. Who would prevail? Many people would say Penn, and you would have to agree.

But BJ Penn has lost fights in the past where he was favored astronomically over the competition.

See Frankie Edgar, UFC 112. Add in the relatively young age of Penn (31) and the absolutely young age of Aldo (24) and this fight could take place within four years, no sweat.

BONUS: Clay Guida

The likelihood of this fight ever going down is very small, but it would be such a fun fight I couldn't help but add it to the list. Clay Guida would have a very slim chance of winning. Despite having an iron chin, and despite having the energy of the Energizer Bunny himself, Jose Aldo is like Brazilian Clay Guida x2. Despite having a small chance to win, Guida would rush recklessly into battle, providing us with his trademark relentless pace and giving us a good fight. All before Jose Aldo drops him with a brutal headkick and locks him in a rear-naked choke.