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Retires from MMA
Aldo confirmed Sunday that he has retired from MMA and has been released from his UFC contract, Alexander K. Lee of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Aldo's retirement comes just four weeks after he lost to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision at UFC 278. The two-time UFC featherweight champion enjoyed a prolific 18-year MMA career and finishes with an all-time record of 31-8. The 36-year-old Brazilian fighter won 25 of his first 26 professional fights, including notable wins over Frankie Edgar, Ricardo Lamas, and Chad Mendes. Though he'll step away from MMA with a legacy as one of the greatest featherweights to ever grace the UFC, the 36-year-old Aldo is leaving the door open to competing as a boxer at some point down the road.
Aldo's retirement comes just four weeks after he lost to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision at UFC 278. The two-time UFC featherweight champion enjoyed a prolific 18-year MMA career and finishes with an all-time record of 31-8. The 36-year-old Brazilian fighter won 25 of his first 26 professional fights, including notable wins over Frankie Edgar, Ricardo Lamas, and Chad Mendes. Though he'll step away from MMA with a legacy as one of the greatest featherweights to ever grace the UFC, the 36-year-old Aldo is leaving the door open to competing as a boxer at some point down the road.
Too passive at UFC 278
Aldo lost to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC 278 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Aldo's entered this fight with a 90 percent takedown defense, so perhaps it should come as no surprise he was able to stuff all 16 of Dvalishvili's takedown attempts. While that area of his game held up, Aldo simply didn't fire enough volume on offense to earn the favor of the judges. While Dvalishvili's takedowns failed, they typically ended with a favorable clinch position against the cage, which stymied the offense of Aldo and allowed Dvalishvili to rack up plenty of leg strikes via knees. Cardio also appeared to be an issue in the final frame, as was the case with many fighters in the Utah elevation, as Aldo only attempted 20 significant strikes in Round 3 despite likely needing a finish. Aldo would have been on the verge of a title shot with a fourth consecutive win here, but now it's back to the drawing board for the 35-year-old.
Aldo's entered this fight with a 90 percent takedown defense, so perhaps it should come as no surprise he was able to stuff all 16 of Dvalishvili's takedown attempts. While that area of his game held up, Aldo simply didn't fire enough volume on offense to earn the favor of the judges. While Dvalishvili's takedowns failed, they typically ended with a favorable clinch position against the cage, which stymied the offense of Aldo and allowed Dvalishvili to rack up plenty of leg strikes via knees. Cardio also appeared to be an issue in the final frame, as was the case with many fighters in the Utah elevation, as Aldo only attempted 20 significant strikes in Round 3 despite likely needing a finish. Aldo would have been on the verge of a title shot with a fourth consecutive win here, but now it's back to the drawing board for the 35-year-old.
Fight in the works for August
Aldo (face) is expected to face Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 on Aug. 20, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Aldo has won his last three bouts, most recently a unanimous decision victory over Rob Font back in December. Aldo was hopping for a shot at bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, but he will have to settle for his teammate.
Aldo has won his last three bouts, most recently a unanimous decision victory over Rob Font back in December. Aldo was hopping for a shot at bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, but he will have to settle for his teammate.
Facing 180-day medical suspension
Aldo is facing a six-month medical suspension, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Aldo will need clearance from a doctor for a right orbital fracture if he hopes to fight again before early June. He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Rob Fant last week.
Aldo will need clearance from a doctor for a right orbital fracture if he hopes to fight again before early June. He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Rob Fant last week.
Vintage performance in Vegas
Aldo defeated Rob Font via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) at UFC Vegas 44 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
The numbers don't tell the whole story here, as Aldo landed just 86 significant strikes compared to 149 for Font, but it was Aldo's shots that consistently did more damage. He recorded knockdowns in the first and fourth rounds and was more accurate with the strikes he did throw in three of the five frames. Surprisingly, Aldo attempted only 12 total leg kicks in this one, including zero in the championship rounds, but his damage to the head and body were more than sufficient. The damage did start to add up by Round 5, with Aldo having to fight basically the final five minutes with one eye swollen shut, but he showed his legendary toughness and made it through the bout. Aldo has now won three consecutive fights at bantamweight since losing a title fight to Petr Yan, and while he wasn't exactly competitive in that matchup, he has the name recognition and momentum to at least warrant consideration for another opportunity.
The numbers don't tell the whole story here, as Aldo landed just 86 significant strikes compared to 149 for Font, but it was Aldo's shots that consistently did more damage. He recorded knockdowns in the first and fourth rounds and was more accurate with the strikes he did throw in three of the five frames. Surprisingly, Aldo attempted only 12 total leg kicks in this one, including zero in the championship rounds, but his damage to the head and body were more than sufficient. The damage did start to add up by Round 5, with Aldo having to fight basically the final five minutes with one eye swollen shut, but he showed his legendary toughness and made it through the bout. Aldo has now won three consecutive fights at bantamweight since losing a title fight to Petr Yan, and while he wasn't exactly competitive in that matchup, he has the name recognition and momentum to at least warrant consideration for another opportunity.