José Aldo The clock turned back at UFC 301.
Back in the cage for the first time after a nearly 20-month retirement, Aldo, 37, looked like a prime version of himself over the course of 15 minutes to a decisive unanimous decision win against the previously underdog Jonathan Martinez.
Martinez, 30, had won six straight fights before encountering Aldo, whose top-notch striking makes you wonder what’s next. At least for now, the former two-time UFC featherweight champion is highly motivated.
“I have to thank Jonathan for this opportunity. My next step is to sit down with Dana, Sean and Hunter and see where this goes,” Aldo, who would have fought the final fight of his UFC contract, said through an interpreter. “I said this wouldn’t be my last fight. I think I’m in great shape. I’m still at the age where I can fight. I see that I can go far, so maybe we can come back here and be champions.”
With the way Aldo (32-8 MMA, 14-7 UFC) fared on Saturday night, there’s no reason to believe that isn’t at least possible, though the going would certainly be difficult in a crowded bantamweight division. Still, defeating No. 12-ranked Martinez (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) was nothing to scoff at.
“I’m very happy,” said Aldo. “I know this is what everyone wanted to see. I’m very focused, very well trained. I can only thank my team and everyone who helped me.”
Updated UFC 301 results include:
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José Aldo defeated. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Anthony Smith defeated. Vitor Petrino via submission (guillotine) – Round 1, 2h00
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Michel Pereira defeated. Ihor Potieria via submission (standing guillotine) – Round 1, 0:54
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Caio Borralho defeated. Paul Craig by KO (punch) – Round 2, 2:10
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Joanderson Brito won. Jack Shore via TKO (medical stoppage) – Round 2, 3:35
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Iasmin Lucindo won. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Myktybek Orolbai defeated. Elves Brener by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
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Drakkar Klose defeated. Joaquim Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Maurício Ruffy won. Jamie Mullarkey via TKO (strike) – Round 1, 4:42
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Dione Barbosa won. Ernesta Kareckaite by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Ismael Bonfim defeated. Vinc Pichel by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Alessandro Costa won. Kevin Borjas via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 1:35
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 301.
