At UFC 315 in Montreal, the legendary mixed martial artist Jose Aldo competed against Aiemann Zahabi in a bantamweight bout that concluded with a very close and controversial decision. Following the result, which went against him, the former long-time champion declared that UFC 315 would mark the final performance of his illustrious career.
Despite moments of vintage brilliance, including a significant offensive surge in the third round where he nearly stopped Zahabi, Aldo appeared to show signs of exhaustion towards the end of the fight, with Zahabi landing strikes until the final horn. While many observers felt Aldo had done enough to secure the victory, the official judges saw the contest differently, unanimously scoring the fight 29-28 for Aiemann Zahabi, leading to a contentious outcome.
Immediately after the scores were announced, Aldo removed his fighting gloves inside the octagon – a traditional sign of retirement – and confirmed his decision to the Montreal audience.
Speaking about his decision to step away, Aldo expressed gratitude to the UFC leadership. “Thank you to Dana [White], to Sean [Shelby], to Lorenzo Fertitta, for everybody in the UFC for everything they’ve given me,” he stated. He elaborated on the internal struggles that led to his choice: “I don’t think I have it in me anymore. This was a tough week. It just wasn’t about cutting the weight and everything else. I just felt there were so many things that happened. It was very tough to go through all this. There was one point this week, it was a very tough week, that I felt I didn’t have it in me. I didn’t want to cut anymore. My body said no and I just don’t think I have it anymore. I don’t want to go into war all the time and go through this. I just don’t have it in my heart anymore. I think this is the last time you’re going to see me. I can’t do this anymore.”
If this retirement holds, Jose Aldo concludes his storied career with a professional record of 32 wins and 10 losses. His contributions to the sport have already earned him a place in the UFC Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of mixed martial arts` all-time greats.
For Aiemann Zahabi, securing this victory marks the most significant achievement of his career. Assuming Aldo remains retired, Zahabi will be recognized as the final opponent on the resume of the legendary Brazilian fighter.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the win, Zahabi commented, “It feels amazing. I did all the work. He was eight pounds overweight, I took it anyway. I was rocked for sure. I was a bit disoriented but my mindset coach tells me to prepare for these moments. I would like to fight against Marlon `Chito` Vera. Get me moving forward in the rankings.”
From the opening bell, Aldo pressed the action, moving forward aggressively and consistently landing his powerful right hand and effective body shots. Zahabi initially appeared challenged by Aldo`s speed and pressure.
Towards the end of the first round, Zahabi began to find his rhythm, connecting with a solid strike and a teep kick, prompting a sharp counter combination from Aldo.
As the fight entered the middle rounds, Aldo`s output seemed to decrease slightly compared to the initial surge, but his precision remained, particularly with a sharp jab that repeatedly found its mark. Zahabi also had successful moments, landing what appeared to be his hardest punch of the fight up to that point, a significant right hand.
The third round began with Zahabi landing some strikes, but the dynamic shifted dramatically when Aldo landed a perfectly timed knee strike straight up the middle. The shot visibly hurt Zahabi, and Aldo immediately followed up with a fierce barrage of punches and head kicks, putting Zahabi in serious trouble and seemingly moments away from a stoppage.
Remarkably, Zahabi displayed immense resilience, surviving the onslaught and even managing to land hard counter-punches on the now-fatigued Aldo at the end of the exchange.
Aldo eventually ended up on his back, where Zahabi continued to land ground and pound, including punches and elbows, causing visible damage. By the time the final horn sounded, blood was streaming from Aldo`s face. Both competitors raised their hands, believing they had done enough to win.
The official decision ultimately went to Aiemann Zahabi, extending his current winning streak to six fights and adding a victory over a bona fide MMA icon, Jose Aldo, to his professional record.
