WEC 48 - Jose Aldo not buying the hometown advantage for Urijah Faber

WEC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo says he’s not convinced that he will be at a disadvantage or under any undue pressure during his first title defence in the hometown of his challenger, Urijah Faber.

Speaking to Sherdog.com, Aldo said:

“There’s no pressure at all. There could be a million people there cheering for Urijah. The only people I’m going to be listening to are in my corner. I’ve fought three times in Sacramento. I know it’s Faber’s hometown, but I feel at home there, too.”

“It was great training [in America], a lot of new opportunities. My team’s down there [in Brazil]. I need to go down there and talk about strategies and a game plan. Those are the people I like to be around. I like having that team atmosphere. There are tons of guys down there at Nova Uniao at my weight.”

Faber also weighed in on the fight, saying he is excited at the opportunity to win back his 145 pound title.

“I’m excited about it. It’s a challenge. You wait for fights like this. I’d fight it in my backyard with my girl watching. It’s a good thing that I’m older and experienced but not old and out of my prime. I think I have more tools on my side. I’m going against a guy who I have no doubt is going to be a huge name in this sport for a long time, and I’m going to get a win.”

“I’m glad to be in the position I’m in. I’m going in there to do my job. My goal is to keep that belt. I worked hard for it. Every athlete’s dream is to be recognized. It just motivates me to go back to Brazil and train even harder. I want to carry the flag for my team. Urijah wants to take my dream, wants to take my belt, and I’m not going to let that happen.”

Aldo has been on a roll in the past year, picking up the featherweight title by stopping Mike Brown in the second round as well as being voted MMABay “Fighter of the Year” 2009. Can he get off to a flyer in 2010 and defeat one of the best 145 pounders in the world? Buy the Pay-Per-View in April to find out!

By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)