José Aldo is considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists by many fight pundits and fans. He is a two-time former UFC featherweight champion with seven successful defenses.
The Brazilian champion, born September 9, 1986, fights in the UFC's bantamweight division (126-135 lbs.). He learned martial arts through Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art; in his early years, he practiced to protect himself on the streets. During those days, he caught the eye of a BJJ trainer, who invited him to a single session before leaving Capoeira to pursue BJJ. He made his MMA debut at the age of 17 in 2004, defeating Mario Bigola in the first round in just 16 seconds to kick off his professional career.
Jose Aldo's retirement
Jose Aldo announced his retirement from professional MMA in September 2022 after suffering a loss against Merab Dvalishvili. Throughout his UFC career, Aldo demonstrated unrivaled striking ability, defensive knowledge, and a champion's mindset. His tenure in the featherweight division was nothing short of dominant, as he defended his championship several times and etched his name into history.
However, as with every sporting career, Aldo experienced obstacles. Losses to Conor McGregor and Max Holloway dented his aura of invincibility, but Aldo's tenacity came through as he rebounded with stunning triumphs. Despite the ups and downs, Aldo remained a fan favorite, respected not only for his fighting abilities but also for his humility and sportsmanship outside of the cage. As Aldo waved farewell to the UFC, tributes came in from fans, competitors, and analysts alike, highlighting his enduring impact on the sport.
What was Jose Aldo doing after retirement?
Aldo retired from the UFC after his August 2022 defeat to Merab Dvalishvili, with one bout remaining on his contract. Following his retirement, Aldo competed in one exhibition and two professional boxing contests, with the UFC's sanction.
He came out of his retirement on May 4, 2024, at UFC 301. Aldo squared off against Jonathan Martinez on his return and won by a unanimous decision. He is braced up to face Aiemann Zahabi in his upcoming fight at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025.
Jose Aldo MMA Record
Jose Aldo has amassed an impressive record over the course of his professional MMA career. He has competed in a total of 41 fights, in which he has won 32 and lost nine as of May 8, 2025. Aldo has defeated 17 opponents by knockout, one by submission, and 14 by decision. He has suffered four losses via knockouts, one via submission, and four by decision.
| 41 matches | 32 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 17 | 4 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 14 | 4 |
Last updated on May 8, 2025
FAQs on Jose Aldo's retirement from UFC
A. He announced retirement from professional MMA in 2022 only to return at UFC 301.
A. Yes, he competes in the bantamweight division of the UFC as of May 8, 2025.
A. Jose Aldo boasts a record of 32 wins and nine losses in MMA as of May 8, 2025.
A. His initial retirement lasted around a year. He returned to the UFC in May 2024.
