José Aldo entered at the WEC octagon for the sixth time and, as the previous fights, he wasn’t in a dangerous area. After five knockouts, the WEC featherweight king took 25 minutes to beat Urijah Faber, on an impeccable performance. Still in the US, Aldo talked to TATAME about his victory, the next challenges on his category, the possibility to moving up or down in divivions so that he could fight BJ Penn and a lot more. Check below the exclusive interview with the champion.

What did you think about this fight against Faber?

It was like I expected, a really tough guy, who does never give up. Thanks God my game worked, I managed to connect some good blows and win, but it was a tough fight.

The strategy always was to work on the low kicks or it was a thing you notice in the beginning of the fight?

We watched his fights and Dedé (Pederneiras) settled a strategy. He noticed that Faber didn’t have a way to block this attack, so we mixed a little of punches and kicks. It was a part of the original strategy.

You’ve already said Pedro Rizzo is your big idol and this game you played is similar to his... Was he your inspiration for this fight?

Yeah, since the beginning. Since I started fighting he leaded the Muay Thai trainings and I used to watch him... This game was indeed inspired on his, the kicks, the punch combinations.

How did you feel having to five all of the five round for the first time on WEC?

I was ready. I always prepare myself to make all of the five rounds and I showed that on this fight, it’s important. I came here to do what it’s settled, three or five rounds.

How do you feel now, being the number one on your category and beating some of the best fighters on your weight?

I don’t feel anything, my career is just beginning. It was my first belt’s defense. Everybody used to say that to be a champion I would have to defend my title and so I did. I still got a lot to train and to learn, just when the time goes by I’d be able to understand things better, but I’m just starting. I want to practice more and learn... I want to go back to Brazil, spend some time there on Bahia with Luis Carlos (Dórea) working on my boxing.

Do you consider yourself one of the best pound for pound on MMA?

I do and I always did, I always thought I had potential to reach much farther and where I am now. It’s up to me.

Did you feel much pressure fighting on your opponent homeland, California?

I don’t think about it, I fight using my head. I go there and do my job, that’s all.

You trained boxing with the coach Manny Pacquiao and BJ Penn. How did this improved your game?

Everything, man… Just as I said, it’s an evolution. I came here and trained with Freddie Roach, trained wrestling and learned. Now, if I can, I want to practice more and more to learn new things.

Before the fight, Dana White said if you win, you could fight even BJ Penn. Do you consider this possibility?

I don’t think about it, I’m focused on my current category, I don’t think of changing categories now. I can do this fight, but first I have to maintain and build a solid career on this weight. It was my first belt’s defense... BJ is a great champion, has defended his belt several times, it’s a tough fight, but first I have to keep my good spot on this category and then I’ll think of weight changing.

Dana White has also said that the pay-per-view WEC could improve the financial situation for the lightest athletes, who used to be less paid than the heaviest...

For sure, the featherweight doesn’t pay very much, but I don’t fight for money. If I did so, I would be screwed. I fight for me, for my family and my team. I go up there focused on this, it doesn’t matter how much money I’ll make of it.

What are your expectations for your return on the octagon after beating two big names of the event?

I don’t know, it’s up to the organization. It’s Ed (Soares)’s work, he’s dealing this kind of things for me. I’m just an employee, I’ll fight with whoever they say so. I’ll never choose and opponent, I have to train, focus and go there and do my best.