RIO DE JANEIRO — Jose Aldo announced Saturday he’s walking away from combat sports, never to come back.
The former WEC and UFC featherweight champion announced his retirement moments after losing a decision to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315, which went down May 10 in Montreal.
A day later, Aldo issued a statement in which he said, “This may have been my last time inside the octagon,” but held a press conference at Nova Uniao’s training center Saturday to confirm he’s not returning to MMA, boxing, or any type of combat sport.
“No, I don’t see myself fighting,” Aldo said. “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 walked away from MMA for the first time in 2022, when he had a three-fight winning streak snapped by future UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili. He opted to go to boxing, where he won two matches and went to a draw with Jeremy Stephens, and eventually re-signed with the UFC.
The Brazilian legend defeated Jonathan Martinez in his first fight back in Rio de Janeiro, but then lost decisions to Mario Bautista and Zahabi. Aldo said no name or offer would convince him to return.
“No, I have another purpose in life, another path,” Aldo 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.”
Aldo leaves the sport with a record of 32-10 and a long list of notable victims, from Frankie Edgar to Urijah Faber to Chad Mendes to Mike Brown to Cub Swanson, and will now focus on being present at home with his wife and two kids.
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