When Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo agreed to give lightweight contender Anthony Pettis a shot at his 145-pound strap, one of the reported stipulations was that "Scarface" be granted an immediate title shot at the 155-pound crown in return.
A stipulation the scrappy Brazilian apparently received.
But that was then and this is now. "Showtime" is back at lightweight and ready to challenge current champion Ben Henderson for the division title at UFC 164 on Aug. 31, 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Aldo, meanwhile, is set to defend his strap against Chan Sung Jung at UFC 163 on Aug. 3, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
That means a change in weight classes is no longer on his radar.
At least not right now.
Overlooking a dangerous foe such as "The Korean Zombie" wouldn't be the smartest thing to do, according to Aldo, who wants to takes things one step at a time as he recently declared during this week's UFC 163 media conference call.
His words:
"One step at a time. I want to focus on my fight against the 'Korean Zombie' and then we'll worry about a potential lightweight move. I don't want to take too big of a step. I respect my opponent and can't overlook him."
Should Aldo defeat Jung, it will mark his fifth consecutive title defense at 145 pounds, so a move up to lightweight could present new and perhaps bigger challenges.
Literally.
The Brazilian brawler, however, is far from cleaning out the 145-pound weight class, as he still has plenty of intriguing match-ups left against the likes of Cub Swanson, Ricardo Lamas and perhaps even Pettis.
And let's not forget about rising contenders such as Conor McGregor and Dennis Bermudez.
One can't help but to fantasize about all of the potential pairings that await Aldo at 155 pounds. Of course, "The Korean Zombie" could essentially put those plans on ice -- or maybe speed them up -- if he manages to upset "Junior" on his own turf.
Anyone think he can do it?