Jose Aldo won his pro boxing debut, and is looking for bigger money fights.
Friday night in Brazil, Jose Aldo won his professional boxing debut.
The former UFC and WEC champion has always spoken about wanting to make the switch to boxing during his career, and he was finally able to make it happen after retiring from mixed martial arts.
The 36-year-old MMA legend fought at 140 lbs for his debut, beating journeyman Emmanuel Zambrano with a one-sided decision over six rounds. Aldo got a near sweep of the scorecards, with judges giving him 60-54 twice and 59-55 for a unanimous decision victory.
Aldo officially becomes 1-0 in his boxing career, while Zambrano drops to 0-4.
Even fresh off his debut, Aldo already has a couple of fights planned as he continues his boxing journey. Aldo is currently lined up to box former UFC opponent Jeremy Stephens, in Jorge Masvidal’s “Gamebred Boxing 4” event this April.
Interestingly enough, Aldo has also revealed that terms have been “agreed” for an exhibition boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“(Mayweather’s) side has already agreed, my side too. We’re now waiting for (the promoters) to get the deal done,” Aldo told MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz. “It might be exhibition on (Mayweather’s) side, but not for me. It’s punch to the face like always. He knows that.”
Mayweather has been active making money on the exhibition circuit after retiring at 50-0. He has had five bouts against the likes of kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura, and influencers Logan Paul and Deji Olatunji.
Like all of Mayweather’s inexperienced opponents in this post-retirement tour, Aldo would also likely be overmatched against the boxing legend. Hopefully the former UFC champion just gets a good payday out of it.
Watch highlights from Aldo’s boxing debut held at Shooto Brazil below.
New tune
New gloves
Same King#ShootoBrazil pic.twitter.com/7CjisUYYJ3— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 11, 2023
A legend’s intro#ShootoBoxing pic.twitter.com/9gN2tnDEK4
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 11, 2023
Crowd loving every punch thrown#ShootoBoxing pic.twitter.com/mhIeEzPj4i
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 11, 2023
Death, taxes, whiffing on punches against Jose Aldo#ShootoBoxing pic.twitter.com/5LwAFJXvtP
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 11, 2023
Both getting comfortable in the pocket!#ShootoBoxing pic.twitter.com/UACieO5mXw
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 11, 2023
The final round is underway!!#ShootoBoxing pic.twitter.com/kKfX1Zwwd6
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 11, 2023
STILL THE KING!!!!#ShootoBoxing pic.twitter.com/OwTDG7Im9f
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 11, 2023
About the author: Anton Tabuena is the Managing Editor for Bloody Elbow. He’s been covering MMA and combat sports since 2009, and has also fought in MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing. (full bio)