UFC
Jose Aldo responds to Dana White's UFC 169 criticisms, says "I never fought so well like in my last fight"
Feb 26, 2014 - 3:00:55 PM Jose Aldo responds to Dana White's UFC 169 criticisms, says "I never fought so well like in my last fight"

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

When Jose Aldo didn't stop Ricardo Lamas at UFC 169 earlier this month, UFC President Dana White levied some criticism at the Featherweight Champ. White said that Aldo "doesn't let anything go" in regards to his attacks, and with another lengthy fight under his belt White was questioning his killer instinct.

Aldo has responded to White's comments in an interview with Guilherme Cruz at MMAFighting.com, brushing them off as inaccurate given what he felt was a complete performance in New Jersey.

"I never fought so well like in my last fight," Aldo said. "I attacked him the whole time. I did my best. We need to know how to handle the criticism. You dedicate and suffer a lot to showcase your technique and ability, things that few people can do, and some people say you’re laying back. It's tough, but I don't care about this."

Aldo doesn't think he's lost anything from his WEC run, where he was knocking fighters out more consistently, and indeed believes he's become a better, more strategic fighter. He doesn't want to risk anything unnecessary, and believes he'll keep fan attention by simply continuing to win fights.

"I may be more strategic, but offensive as always. I attacked a lot in my last fight," he said. "We always try the knockout but it’s hard to get it if the opponent always runs away."

"If you lose, no one will remember you, but if you're the champion they will always remember you. I want to keep winning, no matter what."

Penick's Analysis: Aldo looked excellent against Lamas. He dominated 90% of the fight, he was attacking consistently, and he was doing damage. That he didn't get the finish is a testament to Lamas, not a condemnation of Aldo, and there wasn't a ton more Aldo could have done to stop the fight earlier without opening himself up to needless punishment. At times that type of risk-aversion can turn some fans off, as some just want to see reckless abandon in the cage. Aldo's not that type of fighter, and doesn't need to be; he's quite simply amongst the most talented individuals competing in the sport. Lamas wasn't on his level, and Aldo didn't need to fight down and risk a mistake when he could out-class him in the cage instead.