UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo was confronted with a huge struggle to reach the Octagon on UFC 315.
Jose Aldo's Instant Classic with Aiemann Zahabi on UFC 315 hardly flourished after several serious health problems threatened to remove him from the card.
Aldo and Zahabi spoiled fight fans with a three-round war on the UFC 315 head card on Saturday in Montreal. Originally set as a bantam weight battle, the fight was moved to featherweight after Aldo's failed weight movement at the official weighting on Friday.
Despite the winding road to Fight Night, Aldo took the Octagon for what would eventually become the last MMA fight of his legendary career. But the path was not as straight and narrow as many of the previous outings of Aldo.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Jose Aldo: Doctors tried to persuade me to withdraw from UFC 315 Pension Fight
After he had fallen into a controversial result by a unanimous decision to Zahabi, Aldo announced his retirement for a full house in Montreal. Many believed that Aldo earned the nod on the jury's score cards, but regardless of whether he had won or not, the UFC Hall of Famer was ready to walk away.
In a recent interview with UFC Brazil after UFC 315, Aldo shared what he conquered to get the Octagon for his retirement.
“This fight was difficult,” said Aldo.
“I had a muscle crack on my arm, I had something on the belly that I forgot the name, down there, [from] A lot of kicking. I had some problems. A virus infection, a lot of things. The doctors [said]”Get him out of the fight,” but I didn't want it because I knew in my head that this could be my last fight. (H/T MMA Fighting)
Aldo then clarified that his pension announcement was not a release.
“I already had that in mind, said [coach] 'Dede' [Pederneiras] And [Aldo’s wife] Viviane [Pereira]That I wanted to cross to the other side, “said Aldo.” I think it is more of the mindset to come in there – I would not say that I was full of it, but to see that I really have to cross the other side.
“I always ask myself a lot, but now I want to enjoy my family, be a father, pick up my children at school. That's what I want to do.”
Before he dropped the fight to Zahabi on UFC 315, Aldo lost to Mario Bautista by a split decision on UFC 307. After announcing his first retirement after a loss for Merab Dvalishvili, Aldo returned to UFC 301, which Kondengedigedgeded.
Aldo retires after two UFC-Fedweight title Reigns and his UFC Hall of Fame induction in 2023. At a certain moment in his career, he won 18 consecutive fights from the end of his WEC official period in his UFC Stint.
Jose Aldo contributes to various remarkable UFC pensioning in 2025
Aldo is not the only remarkable UFC name to announce their retirement so far in 2025. UFC Light Heavyweight Anthony Smith retired after a loss in UFC Kansas City, and strict weight veteran Marina Rodriguez dropped the gloves after a loss against Gillian Robertson at UFC des Moines.
UFC Lightweight Jalin Turner announced a shock pension after an entry defeat at UFC 313 in March. The 29-year-old was one of the most talented contenders in the lightweight top 15 before recent struggles stopped his rapid climb.
Aldo is retiring with a professional record of 32-10 with 17 knockout victories. He is considered one of the greatest hunters in the UFC history by many.