Jose Aldo still respects everything TJ Dillashaw has accomplished inside the Octagon.
Aldo returned to the win column on Saturday night when he comfortably outpointed Marlon Vera on his way to a unanimous decision victory in their bantamweight clash at UFC Vegas 17.
Following the win, the former featherweight champion called for a fight with Dillashaw who will be eligible to return to action next month.
Of course, the reason Dillashaw has been ineligible since January 2019 is a failed drug test for EPO that saw the former bantamweight king receive a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Dillashaw revealed he took EPO to help him with the weight cut for his flyweight title fight with Henry Cejudo at the time and openly acknowledged he made a mistake.
And that’s something Aldo can look past.
“No, nothing’s changed for me,” Aldo told ESPN when asked if Dillashaw’s drug test changed his opinion of him. “I see him for his qualities. I see him as a champion and everything he did in the Octagon. He just made a mistake.”
Dillashaw would respond to the callout on social media soon after, but rather than respond to Aldo, boasted about how everyone was calling him out upon his impending return.
I heard everyone is calling me out, cause they all know that’s my belt 🥱 @ufc
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) December 20, 2020
While he has options, a fight with Aldo would certainly make sense for Dillashaw and would also be one that fans would be highly-intrigued to watch.
As far as Aldo is concerned, he’s a fan due to Dillashaw’s striking credentials.
“I think it will be a very good test for myself because he’s very good on his feet and I like his style standing up so it’s going to be a good test,” Aldo added.