The last week wasn’t an easy one for former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. After being hospitalized due to a bacterian infection in his knee for two days, the 32-year-old was released from the hospital just last Sunday, but his fight against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 237 isn’t entirely back on the table just yet since only time will tell how well the Brazilian really respond to the medication.
Most recently, in a press conference for UFC 237, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aldo spoke about the infection for the first time since news about him being hospitalized came to surface. During the event, Jose told the media he feels healthy and should get back to training next week.
“I was sad,” Aldo told Portal do Vale Tudo. “I was already training hard for the fight, it was like a bucket of cold water on my head. The antibiotics help, but I believe it should be out of my body next week and I can go back to training hard for the fight.”
With a plan to fight three times in 2019 and not renew his UFC contract, Aldo also talked about his future after MMA and revealed to be hearing multiple offers, while pointing out that the dream of fighting in professional boxing is not off the table as well.
“(If a chance to fight for the title) falls on my lap, I’ll grab it and put it to sleep,” Aldo said. “The UFC approached me, talking about renewing my contract after the Moicano fight, but I’m hearing other offers so I’ll know what is the best way to go. I’ve done too much MMA, it’s time to give way to a new generation. I still have that dream of boxing, I believe I can have a brilliant career there and make a lot of money.”
When asked about what the thought of Conor McGregor’s apparent retirement from the sport, Aldo put their bad blood aside and complimented his rival on a successful career, going as far as saying he would do the same if he were in Conor’s position.
“What he did for the sport and what he won,” Aldo said, “If I fight Floyd Mayweather and make 80 million dollars, the UFC would never see me again too. Do you really think I would train multiple martial arts three times a day? He had a brilliant career, he was a great fighter and if he really is retiring, I congratulate him for all he did in the sport.”
Aldo vs. Volkanovski will be the co-main event for UFC 237, which goes down on May 11th in Rio de Janeiro.
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