José Aldo reflects on his unexpected journey in the UFC, revealing that his fight against Aiemann Zahabi wasn’t part of his initial comeback plan. After briefly retiring to pursue boxing, Aldo returned with ambitions for the bantamweight title. Following a challenging performance against Mario Bautista, he eagerly accepted the Zahabi matchup to regain momentum. As he prepares for his 42nd fight, Aldo aims to showcase his skills, believing a win in Montreal could lead him closer to title contention.
José Aldo’s Unexpected Journey in the UFC
José Aldo candidly acknowledges that his matchup against Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 was not part of his original game plan upon his return to the UFC last year, following a nearly two-year hiatus.
“I anticipated securing two swift victories and immediately vying for the bantamweight title,” the legendary fighter shared in an interview with TVA Sports.
However, Aldo’s path took an unexpected turn, prompting him to reevaluate his goals and adjust his strategy accordingly.
A Shift in Focus: From Retirement to Comeback
In 2022, after facing a setback against the reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, Aldo announced his retirement from mixed martial arts to pursue a boxing career. Despite being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023, “the king of Rio” made a comeback in May of the following year, fueled by the ambition to claim the title at 135 pounds.
Following a decisive victory over Jonathan Martinez, Aldo faced a challenge against Mario Bautista in October, where he admitted, “My last performance was horrible. I’m ashamed of it.”
When the opportunity to fight Zahabi arose, he embraced it without hesitation. “I didn’t perform well last time. This fight is my chance to get back on track against a fighter currently riding an impressive winning streak. It’s going to be a significant event in Canada, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
At 38 years old, Aldo will step into the octagon for his 42nd mixed martial arts bout. Zahabi, only 10 months younger, has significantly fewer fights under his belt but boasts a five-fight winning streak that began in 2021. Aldo commented, “He has several consecutive victories, but they’ve come over a lengthy stretch. Zahabi doesn’t compete often.”
Aldo emphasizes his focus on his own preparation rather than fixating on Zahabi’s strengths. “My priority is to work on my training and the adjustments needed to deliver my best performance for the fans. I know I can compete with anyone in the division; I just need to showcase that now.”
Despite Zahabi being ranked three spots below him, Aldo believes that a win in Montreal will propel him closer to a title shot. “I don’t think I will ever stray too far from the title because of my past achievements. If I continue to win and perform well, I’ll remain a viable contender for a title fight.”
UFC 315 will mark Aldo’s third appearance in Canada. While the event promises to be thrilling, nothing could overshadow his inaugural visit to Canada during UFC 129 in 2011, where he defended his featherweight title against Mark Hominick in a memorable clash that left the local fighter with a bruise the size of a baseball.
“It was my very first fight in the UFC post-WEC acquisition, where I was the champion. It was monumental! During the fight, I didn’t grasp the number of fans present, but afterward, I truly appreciated the atmosphere in the arena. It was just incredible and historic,” Aldo reminisces.
Like his experience in Toronto 14 years ago, Aldo anticipates a hostile crowd at the Bell Centre on May 10. “I’m fortunate. No matter where I go, I have fans who support me. Thanks to my achievements and longevity, I always feel immense respect from fans around the globe.” This could very well be the price of fame.