RIO DE JANEIRO – Legendary fighter Jose Aldo has officially declared his retirement from combat sports, stating unequivocally that he will not return.
The former WEC and UFC featherweight champion made this announcement shortly after his decision loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 on May 10th in Montreal.
This confirmation came during a press conference at Nova Uniao`s training center, following up on a previous statement where he hinted his fight at UFC 315 might be his last. At the conference, he confirmed his complete exit from MMA, boxing, or any other form of fighting.
Aldo explained his position, “No, I don`t see myself fighting. When I returned [to the UFC in 2024], it wasn`t for financial gain; it was driven by a specific purpose, a calling. I pursued it, and it didn`t work out as planned. I gave my absolute best and am content with all my achievements. There is no fight offer that could possibly entice me back. As for training in a gi, sparring, or anything similar, maybe in five years. By then, thankfully, I`ll be nearly 50, so there`s simply no possibility of competing, no lingering desire.”
Aldo had previously stepped away from MMA in 2022 after his three-fight win streak was snapped by Merab Dvalishvili. During his time away, he transitioned to boxing, securing two victories and a draw against Jeremy Stephens, before eventually signing a new deal with the UFC.
His return to the UFC saw him defeat Jonathan Martinez in Rio de Janeiro, followed by decision losses to Mario Bautista and Aiemann Zahabi. Aldo firmly stated that no specific opponent or financial offer would alter his decision to retire.
He reiterated his commitment to a new phase in life. “No, I have a different purpose now, another path,” Aldo said. “Offer me any fight, anywhere, I don`t want to. I don`t envision myself fighting or training for competition anymore. Of course, I will still train here to assist my friends. I understand the difficulty of it, so if I can help in any way with my experience, I will do so wholeheartedly. But putting on a gi or anything like that specifically to fight? Never again.”
Aldo concludes his remarkable combat sports career with a professional record of 32 wins and 10 losses. His list of notable opponents includes victories over legends like Frankie Edgar, Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Mike Brown, and Cub Swanson. Moving forward, his primary focus will be on spending time with his wife and two children at home.
