Aldo: TJ Dillashaw is the focus because Dominick Cruz fight ‘takes me nowhere’

I guess we can forget about the fantasy matchup between Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz.

That’s because “Junior,” currently ranked No. 5 in the bantamweight division, is holding out for a title-eliminator bout opposite former champion TJ Dillashaw and fighting the No. 10-ranked “Dominator” would be a step in the wrong direction.

How times have changed!

“After this great fight, I want to put on another great performance by December,” Aldo told MMA Fighting. “Dillashaw is the focus. If it’s early next year, I can wait too. I’ll leave that up to ‘Dede’ [coach Andre Pederneiras] to deal with. I want to fight by December or January, tops. With another great fight and win, we can get closer to the belt.”

Aldo (30-7) pulled even at 2-2 in the bantamweight division after capturing consecutive victories over Marlon Vera and Pedro Munhoz. As for Cruz (23-3), he snapped a two-fight losing streak by outpointing a game Casey Kenney at UFC 259 back in March.

“I don’t think about fighting Dominick today,” Aldo continued. “I respect him, I also like him for the fact he’s one of the greatest bantamweight champions, but right now I’m heading towards the title. There’s no reason why I’ll stop and do a fight that will take me nowhere. It’s more likely for me to fight Rob Font than Dominick Cruz.”

Font (19-4) is the winner of four straight and sits at No. 4 in the official rankings.

Dillashaw (17-4) returned from suspension to capture a split-decision victory over top contender Cory Sandhagen back in July and is hoping to lay claim to the winner of Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan, who collide for “Funk Master’s” belt at UFC 267 in October.