Jose Aldo says enough’s enough — again.
The UFC legend and former featherweight champion announced his retirement following a unanimous decision loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal.
The 38-year-old Aldo, who previously retired after losing to Merab Dvalishvili in 2022 before returning to the octagon a year and a half later, said in an emotional post-fight interview that his career is done.
“I don’t think I have it in me anymore,” Aldo, inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023, said through an interpreter after the loss. “This was a very tough week that I felt that I didn’t have it in me.”
The bout was tightly contested, with Aldo showcasing flashes of his former brilliance, though it wasn’t enough as he lost 29-28 on all three scorecards.
In the third round, Aldo managed to land a forceful right hand and a signature knee that momentarily staggered Zahabi.
However, Zahabi recovered and capitalized on Aldo’s apparent fatigue, responding with a series of strikes that led to a unanimous decision victory.
The decision, while unanimous, was met with controversy.
Several current and former UFC stars reacted to the scorecards, suggesting Aldo didn’t get a fair shake.
UFC ; lightweight contender Renato Moicano called it “maybe one of the worst decisions of the sport,” as well as a “f–king robbery.”
UFC strawweight standout Angela Hill questioned “HOW?!” on X.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson also referred to it as a “bad call.”
Aldo revealed post-fight that he had entered the match with multiple injuries and continued with the fight despite being advised to withdraw.
“This fight was hard,” Aldo said. “I had a muscle tear on the arm, I had something on the belly that I forgot the name, down there, [from] kicking a lot. I had some problems. A virus infection, a bunch of things.”
Ultimately, he opted to compete because, as he put it, “I knew this could be my last fight.”
“I don’t want to go into war all the time and go through all this,” Aldo added. “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.”
With a professional record of 32 wins and 10 losses, Aldo leaves a legacy as one of MMA’s greatest.
The Hall of Famer, who recorded 17 of his wins by knockout, was the promotion’s inaugural featherweight champion after initially winning the WEC title before the company was absorbed by the UFC in 2010.
Aldo was champion from 2009-15 and defended the UFC title successfully seven times — still a record — before being famously knocked out by Conor McGregor 13 seconds into their December 2015 bout.
