Jose Aldo camp issues apology to Anthony Pettis for injury-faking accusations, but ‘Junior’ still wants ‘Showtime’ fight next

A month after accusing current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis of faking an injury to avoid fighting Jose Aldo for his featherweight title at UFC 163, Andre Pedeneira's -- Aldo's trainer -- has stayed true to his word and apologized to the new 155-pound kingpin.

But that doesn't mean that Team Aldo has forgotten about their unfinished business with "Showtime."

Andre breaks it down for Sherdog:

"First of all, I need to give congratulations for him and his team. About his injury, I think the first time I had some doubts about that, but I don't have any proof and I will say sorry about that. But, for us, it was very strange the guy not fight with Aldo this week and the next week he asking about his title match with Ben Henderson one week later. But, anyway, for us it's in the past and I think the future right now. Aldo wants to fight him for sure and were just waiting for the UFC to make the date and send the contract."

After his first-round submission victory over Ben Henderson at UFC 164 last month (video here), Pettis called out "Scarface" during his post-fight speech to erase any doubt he was ducking him.

Despite "Showtime" already being booked to face Josh Thomson at UFC on FOX 9 on Dec. 14, 2013 in Sacramento, California, Andre is adamant Aldo is eager to face Pettis next, not Ricardo Lamas, who many believe is the next contender at 145 pounds.

Furthermore, Pedeneiras says a catchweight fight of 150 pounds is fair, that way no fighter is at risk of losing their title. If that doesn't tickle the UFC matchmaker's fancy, then a title fight at featherweight followed by one at lightweight is something Team Aldo is willing to do, as well.

Nevertheless, Aldo has to heal from a broken foot he suffered during his victory over Chan Sung Jung at UFC 163 and is scheduled to see a doctor soon for re-evaluation and could be ready to compete at the beginning of 2014, according to Pedeneiras.

Pettis and Jose both want it, but will Thomson derail this much-anticipated showdown with a victory of his own in "Sac-Town?"