José AldoOne of the biggest names in MMA today, has completed a contract with the UFC and is about to become one of the hottest free agents in the sport.
The former UFC and WEC champion made his long-awaited return to the Octagon last Saturday, defeating bantamweight challenger Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event of the UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. This was Aldo’s comeback fight since he retired from MMA in 2022 and also the last fight on his UFC contract.
Well, after proving he’s still a force at 37 years of age, many are wondering what Aldo’s next move could be.
“Right at the beginning when I asked for this fight, they talked about (fighting for the title) and I said: ‘No, calm down. Let’s fight first,” Aldo told MMA fight and other reporters at the UFC 301 post-fight press conference. “’Let me fight first. First you have to see it. Let’s not rush things. So let’s take it slow, let’s get there, let’s fight, let’s put on a performance, and then you know what I’m like.
“So that’s what I tried to do. I wanted to fight here first, now I can sit down with Dana (White) and see what is the best path we can take.”
Aldo (32-8 MMA, 14-7 UFC) plans to continue fighting and is interested in fighting once again for the UFC title in the 135-pound division. He also revealed that the UFC has a matching period to compete with any offers received before becoming a full free agent.
Aldo wants to talk to UFC CEO Dana White and discuss what’s next. He does not rule out re-signing with the UFC, but also returning to boxing.
“Yes, it could be,” Aldo said when asked about possible boxing fights against Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao. “I received offers. I was offered a contract, but I said no. I’m in the UFC (still), so I need to fight, to see how I’m doing. That was a big window that opened for me. …My life has always been here (in the UFC), so I have to go sit down with them and see what is the best path I can take.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 301.
