It’s been a long seven months for Jose Aldo, considered by most as the greatest featherweight the sport has ever seen. After dominating the division for years, he was flattened by bitter rival Conor McGregor in just 13 seconds last December and he went from all-time great to a man with a perceived glass chin.

On Saturday night in one of the featured bouts at UFC 200, “Scarface” took that ever-so-crucial first step in reclaiming what he lost at UFC 194.

Aldo picked former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar apart for five rounds, busting up his face with precise punching and perfect counters. Edgar couldn’t never take the Brazilian down in their rematch and after five rounds, Aldo was awarded a unanimous decision and the interim featherweight championship.

“I want to be the champion,” Aldo told the assembled media at the post-fight press conference. “I was born to be the champion. If I get the fight with him [McGregor], that’s great but I want to be the champion. After I fight him again, I’ll still be the champion.”

UFC President Dana White said during an interview on Fox Sports 1’s post-fight show that when after McGregor fights Nate Diaz in their rematch in August, he’ll have to return to featherweight to defend his belt against Aldo. It was a joyous revelation for the superb striker, and he welcomed the news with a broad smile.

“I think it’s great,” he stated. “I am prepared for him. We can fight right now if he wants to.”

If there were any worries about how Aldo’s chin would hold up after the Irishman took him out with one shot, they were put to rest against Edgar. “The Answer” tagged Aldo cleanly several times and each time, Jose shook them off.

“My chin is fine,” he said. “I feel great. I even let the goatee grow so it would be stylish. There are no ghosts [from the loss] or anything.”