One of the best to ever do it is gone for good.
As has been noted on several occasions in recent years, combat sports retirements are often temporary endeavours – but according to Jose Aldo, the retirement he announced following his recent (and controversial) defeat to Aimann Zahabi during the UFC’s recent event in Montreal is permanent.
The Brazilian former WEC and UFC featherweight champion confirmed that he was stepping away from mixed martial arts immediately after his close decision defeat to Zahabi, in a fight that many observers thought he had done enough to win – particularly after he appeared to nearly finish the bout in the second round after connecting with a flush kick to Zahabi’s face which sent the Canadian fighter reeling backwards.
But Aldo, who has previously returned to the UFC after calling time on his career on a previous occasion, says that this time around he’s serious.
“No, I don’t see myself fighting,” Aldo said this past weekend, as noted by MMA Fighting, confirming that his retirement extends to boxing and all other forms of combat sports.
“When I went back [to the UFC in 2024], it wasn’t for money, it was for a purpose I had, a calling. I tried doing it and it didn’t work. I gave my all and was happy with everything I’ve achieved.
“There’s no fight that would make me come back. To put the gi, to spar, or do anything, only in five years. Thank God I’ll be almost 50 in five years, so there’s no possibility of fighting, there’s no calling.”
Aldo’s decision comes after two successive defeats to Zahabi and Mario Bautista, which followed what was his final win in mixed martial arts against Jonathan Martinez last May.
And he said that even if he was offered a title bout in a bid to return, he isn’t interested.
“No, I have another purpose in life, another path,” he said.
“Offer me any fight, wherever it is, I don’t want to. I don’t see myself fighting anymore, or training, or doing anything like that. Of course, I do see myself training here to help my friends. I know how hard that is, so if I can help in any way with the experience I have, I will help with all my heart. But to specifically put a gi or anything like that to fight, never again.”
