Jose Aldo is set to return on May 10 for his third fight since stepping back inside the Octagon in 2024.
Since December of 2019, the former UFC featherweight champion has been competing at 135 pounds which has been his home for his last eight outings.
The Brazilian encountered some weight issues heading into UFC 315, which now means that Aldo will face Aiemann Zahabi at featherweight instead.
Zahabi was convinced to stop cutting weight, despite the fact that he would’ve made the bantamweight limit, so that the matchup could still go ahead at the Bell Center in Montreal.
Aldo has now confirmed that this recent issue has made him reconsider his plans for the future having previously set himself a specific goal.
Jose Aldo gives up on two-division champion goal and commits to featherweight
Jose Aldo is still considered to be the greatest featherweight of all time after what he accomplished at 145 pounds where he was unbeaten for a decade.
Though the 38-year-old has suffered four losses since moving down to bantamweight, two of which were highly controversial split decisions, he has found some success in a second weight class.
Many fans called for Aldo to permanently move back up to featherweight after seeing him struggling when stepping on the scales ahead of UFC 315.
Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter later confirmed, after speaking with the former champion, that he has acknowledged that making 135 pounds, when he usually walks around at 160, isn’t a viable option anymore.
Aldo stated that he originally moved down a weight class to try and become a two-division champion but after this weekend, he will return to featherweight for what is likely to be the final few fights of his career.
“Jose Aldo tells me that his aim fighting at bantamweight was to become a two-division champion. He says that he walks around at roughly 160 pounds. He has come to realize that his home is at 145 pounds and he expects to fight at featherweight going forward.”
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Jose Aldo gets welcomed back to featherweight by a dream opponent for him at 145 pounds
Not only is Jose Aldo moving back up to featherweight a good move for his own health, it also gives us the opportunity to see some new matchups now that he’s been gone from the division since 2019.
Fans called to see the legendary former champion face his fellow Brazilian, Patricio Pitbull, from the moment the former Bellator star joined the roster.
Pitbull posted on social media to welcome Aldo back to the featherweight division following his debut loss to Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314.
Regardless of whether Aldo wins or loses on Saturday night, a dream clash with Pitbull makes a lot of sense for both men in the near future, especially if it can take place in Brazil.