José Aldo had the opportunity to reconnect with the UFC audience last Saturday night (04) after almost two years away from the Octagon. In addition to the happiness of winning again in the organization, after beating Jonathan Martinez, the former featherweight champion said he was pleased to return to fight in Rio de Janeiro. During a post-fight press conference, Aldo recalled the emotion of returning to the place where he fought his first fight in Brazil for the UFC, in 2012, and analyzed his performance in the confrontation.
– It’s an immense happiness to be returning here (Rio de Janeiro) and continue fighting at a high level for everyone who came. I remember starting back there, I was still a very emotional guy, a very forward, crazy guy, who tried to move forward all the time (…) I think at the beginning (of the fight) I tried to see what he could do for me. There’s his low kick, I tried to block it. Then we had to box, kick, do a little bit of everything, because that’s who I am. I’m an MMA fighter, so I have to get in there and always do my best – said José Aldo.
Last Saturday’s fight marked not only Aldo’s return to MMA, but the end of the contract between him and the UFC. Despite having a good fight, the Brazilian will decide the future of his career calmly. Even though he is free on the market, the fighter states that he will not hold an “auction” to find out which organization is willing to pay more for his pass.
– It doesn’t cross my mind to hold an auction (for the pass). I have always done everything in my life thinking about being the champion. It’s not an auction. Firstly, with all due respect, I have to sit down with the UFC, because the contract states this – Ultimate can cover any offer that appears. So, calm down. I think that first we have to sit down with Dana to see what is the best path we can take – said Aldo.
Despite remaining cautious when talking about the future, Aldo is thinking about focusing his career on boxing if he doesn’t close a new deal with the UFC. He stated that he received some offers, but decided to end his contract before taking any action regarding his career. Now he is thinking about resting and returning to training to be able to face the next challenges.
– I received an offer, they even sent a contract, but I said: “no, I’m still with the UFC”. So I need to fight, I need to see how I am. This is a big window that has opened for me. My life has always been here (UFC), so I have to sit down with them and see what is the best path we can take – explained the former featherweight champion.
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