At 38 years old, Jose Aldo has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts for the second time. This decision comes after a unanimous decision loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315.
Aldo’s Reflections on Retirement
Aldo expressed doubts about his ability to compete at a high level, stating that he doesn’t think he has it in him anymore. He described the past week as "very tough," during which he felt like he didn’t have it in him.
Fight Summary
Despite flashes of brilliance, Aldo ultimately lost by unanimous decision. Zahabi secured victory with a series of strikes following Aldo’s forceful right hand and signature knee in the third round.
Controversy Surrounding the Decision
The decision was met with controversy from several current and former UFC stars:
- Angela Hill questioned the scorecards on social media.
- Quinton "Rampage" Jackson referred to it as a bad call.
- Renato Moicano, a former UFC lightweight contender, criticized the treatment of legends in the sport.
Aldo’s Health Issues
In a post-fight interview, Aldo revealed that he had competed despite suffering from multiple injuries, including:
- Muscle tears on both arms
- An issue affecting his lower abdomen due to excessive kicking during training camp
- Viral infections that left him feeling weak in the days leading up to the fight
These injuries and health issues likely played a significant role in his loss to Zahabi. Aldo managed to take advantage of an opponent’s momentary lapse late in the final round, giving himself a chance at winning via stoppage. However, he ultimately fell short, losing by a split verdict (48-47 x2 vs 49-46).
Zahabi’s Praise for Aldo
Zahabi was quick to praise Aldo after their bout, acknowledging that this may be one of their last meetings given their age difference.
"I’m glad I could get my hands on you," said Zahabi. "It’s been great fighting against you over all these years."
When asked if this might be one of their last fights against each other, Zahabi responded, "I don’t know man I’m still young. I’ll keep doing what I do best which is fighting."
Zahabi’s Career Milestone
The win marked another milestone victory for Zahabi, who now holds victories over notable fighters including:
- Aljamain Sterling
- Merab Dvalishvili
- Jose Aldo
Zahabi looks forward to continuing his career while hoping not to add too many more fights to his list before hanging up his gloves permanently.
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