Jose Aldo Says He Had Retirement 'In Mind' Prior to UFC 315 Defeat

Jose Aldo called it a career for a second time on Saturday night, and it’s not hard to see why that decision may hold up this time around.

In addition to struggling with a weight cut that resulted in his bout with Aiemann Zahabi being moved from bantamweight to 145 pounds, the legendary Brazilian revealed a litany of health issues that affected him heading into UFC 315.

“This fight was hard,” Aldo said in an interview with UFC Brazil (translation via MMAFighting.com). “I had a muscle tear on the arm, I had something on the belly that I forgot the name, down there, [from] kicking a lot. I had some problems. A virus infection, a bunch of things. The doctors [said], ‘Get him out of the fight,’ but I didn’t want to because in my head I knew this could be my last fight.”

Aldo did relatively well in the early going, but Zahabi came on strong down the stretch and ending the fight by battering the Nova Uniao standout with elbows from top position to ultimately earn a somewhat controversial unanimous decision triumph. In the immediate aftermath, Aldo took his gloves off in the Octagon and told Joe Rogan, “I don’t think I have it in me anymore.”

Aldo previously retired following a loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022 but returned in 2024 and has since gone 1-2 in the Las Vegas-based promotion. The former UFC and WEC featherweight champion claims that retirement was already in his mind heading into UFC 315.

“I wanted to end here in Canada,” Aldo said. “I started here, and wanted to end here. I could end it in Brazil or some place else, but no. My story started here in Canada, this is where I first fought in the UFC against Mark Hominick. But it’s part [of life].

“… I had that in mind already, was talking to [coach] ‘Dede’ [Pederneiras] and [Aldo’s wife] Viviane [Pereira], that I wanted to cross to the other side,” Aldo said. “I think it’s more of the mindset of getting in there — I wouldn’t say I was full of it, but to see I really have to cross to the other side. I always demand a lot from myself, but now I want to enjoy my family, be a father, pick up my kids at school. That’s what I want to do.”

In a post on his Instagram stories, Aldo stood by his decision to call it a career:

This may have been my last time inside the Octagon.

This week, I faced one of the biggest battles of my life, and it wasn’t against an opponent, but within myself.

Over the past few years, I rekindled the dream of becoming a champion once again. I trained as I always did, gave more than l ever had. But while cutting weight, something inside me said: You don’t need to do this anymore.” And I listened.

It’s time to move forward. To live for my wife, for my kids. To celebrate the story I wrote with every war, every belt earned through blood, sweat, and faith.

Thank you, Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta. Thank you to the UFC.And most of all - thank you, my fans. You were the fuel behind every walk to the cage. You made me a king.

If this was my farewell, know that I leave in peace. With a heart full of gratitude and my head held high. Because I made history. Because I lived my dream. Because, above all, I stayed true to myself.