A second, more-satisfying thought about Jose Aldo vs. Urijah Faber

Joel Gerson from Revolution MMA just sent me a text regarding Jose Aldo’s easing up on Urijah Faber during the later rounds of Saturday’s WEC main event. I’d taken Aldo to task for not finishing Faber off, the latest in a string of lopsided title fights that went to the judges when it clearly shouldn’t have.

But Gerson believes that Aldo eased back (in the fifth round, in particular) not out of some fear of taking risks or inability/unwillingness to end the fight, but out of respect for Faber. He didn’t want to humiliate him in front of Faber’s hometown and wanted to let him go out like a champ.

True or not, I like the theory a lot. It certainly makes sense. Aldo never mocked or clowned Faber at any point, always showed him the utmost respect, and anyone who’s seen his flying knees knows he’s not averse to taking risks. Thanks, Joel, I actually feel much better about the bout and it makes the entire card that  much more satisfying.