UFC legend Jose Aldo retires after tough loss: I can t do this anymore

UFC legend Jose Aldo, a figure synonymous with the featherweight division and a two-time champion, has officially announced his retirement from the sport. The decision comes after the 38-year-old Brazilian suffered a unanimous decision loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 in Montreal on Saturday night. Aldo concludes his storied mixed martial arts career with an overall record of 42 matches, comprising 32 wins and 10 losses.

This marks Aldo's second time stepping away from the UFC cage. He initially retired in 2022 to pursue professional boxing and was subsequently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023. However, he made a return to the cage by 2024, winning his first fight back before experiencing two consecutive losses, culminating in tonight's defeat.

Speaking through an interpreter after the fight, Aldo was candid about his reasons for retiring. "I don't think I have it in me anymore," he stated, reflecting on a "very tough week" where he felt a lack of capacity, particularly due to a difficult weight cut that necessitated moving the fight to a higher weight class. Aldo expressed the physical and mental toll the sport takes, saying, "I don't want to go into war all the time and go through all this." He added emotionally, "I just don't have it in my heart anymore. I think this is the last time you're going to see me. I can't do this anymore."

The fight itself saw Aldo show some early spark, but by the end, he was visibly worn down, finding himself "on his back, bloodied and taking a battering from Zahabi's elbows."

Aldo's legacy is significant; he was the featherweight champion in the WEC before being named the UFC champion upon the promotions' merger in 2010. He held the title for a record tenure until 2015, when his impressive 18-fight winning streak was famously ended by Conor McGregor. Aldo briefly regained champion status after winning an interim title and being named champion again in 2016 before losing the belt to Max Holloway in 2017. His retirement marks the definitive end of an era for one of the sport's all-time greats.