Former featherweight champion (66 kg), José Aldo will fight again MMA in May, at UFC Rio, as well as Conor McGregor, who has not played since 2021. In 2022, the Brazilian surprised by announcing his retirement from the sport, but, after holding boxing duels, he agreed to play in Ultimate to honor his contract and compete in his last commitment. And that doesn’t mean the end for the veteran.
It is true that some fans and professionals consider that the fight against the promising Jonathan Martinez, in the middle of Brazil, is a fair end to his career for such an important athlete in the world. UFC and known as the ‘King of Rio’. However, Aldo, in an interview with the website ‘MMA Junkie’, emphasizes that, depending on his performance in the Octagon, he could continue acting and does not rule out renewing his link with the organization. Furthermore, the Brazilian took the opportunity to declare his support for McGregor.
“I think my body and mind needed a rest. I always took a huge toll physically and mentally. I have a 20-year career fighting, always at a high level, pushing myself, wanting to be champion. I needed a moment, I was able to take advantage, focus on one modality. The possibility of being a champion, of fighting at a high level, made me compete again. It was the same thing I talked about with the UFC, I had the possibility of renewing the contract. It’s better to see how my presentation will be, how I will behave. I’m focused. Dana wanted to sign a contract with more fights, but I didn’t think so. I’m focused on Jonathan, on UFC Rio, so I’ll stop and think about what I have to do”, declared the fighter.
Aldo took the opportunity to ignore the rivalry with McGregor and was optimistic about his performance against ‘Iron’. It is worth noting that, today, former UFC champions exchange positive messages constantly and publicly. So much so that the Brazilian expresses his hope for his tormentor to beat Chandler and remain focused on the search for the belt, whether in the lightweight (70 kg) or welterweight (77 kg) category.
“Expectations are the best. I hope that those who fought with me are always winning more and more. This proves that I have always fought and lost to champions. I hope he gives a great performance, that he can come back and be the Conor he always was in there, an aggressive guy, who always fights forward, who seeks to end fights as soon as possible. I hope he gives a great performance, that he can come back and follow this path to become a champion”, he concluded.
Aldo’s MMA history
José Aldo, 37 years old, is one of Brazil’s main representatives in the history of combat sports. The athlete debuted for the UFC in 2011, was featherweight champion, challenged for the bantamweight title (61 kg) and became a member of the organization’s ‘Hall of Fame’. In his career, the ‘King of Rio’ won 31 fights and lost eight times. His main triumphs were over Chad Mendes (twice), Chan Sung Jung, Cub Swanson, Frankie Edgar (twice), Kenny Florian, Marlon VeraMike Brown, Pedro Munhoz, Renato MoicanoRob Font and Urijah Faber.
