Pros React To Jose Aldo’s Retirement – ‘My GOAT’

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 3:44 AM ET

Jose Aldo has officially retired from his UFC career for the second time, marking the end of his fighting career at the recent UFC Rio card.

Aldo stepped into the Octagon to an ovation from the home crowd. He laid his gloves down in the center of the cage, signifying his departure from the sport. With his family joining him inside the Octagon, a tearful Aldo waved his final farewell to the fans. This marks the second time the Brazilian has announced his retirement. His initial decision to step away came in August 2022 following a loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278.

However, Aldo made a surprising comeback with a win over Jonathan Martinez in 2024. That proved to be the last of win of his UFC career. He subsequently suffered losses to Mario Bautista at UFC 307 in October 2024, followed by a defeat to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 in May. His legacy is cemented by his historic reign as the longest-reigning featherweight champion in UFC history, a title he successfully defended seven consecutive times.

Legacy

Beyond his record-setting title reign, Aldo’s status as a legend is solidified by his impact on the sport’s global expansion. He was the original featherweight champion brought into the UFC from the WEC merger. His fights were often must-see events. A prime example of this is his performance against Urijah Faber, where Aldo’s trademark brutal leg kicks rendered Faber almost unable to walk. The reaction to his retirement also says a lot about his legacy.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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