Despite all his bellyaching, former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight champion, Jose Aldo, will remain with the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion for at least another seven fights, after inking a longterm contract extension prior to his Alexander Volkanovski loss last month in Brazil.
That’s according to a report from ESPN.
“We sat throughout this whole period to understand what Aldo’s career would be like from now on,” manager Andre Pederneiras told Combate. “Despite his desire to fight in professional boxing, we still believe he has the potential to be the champion again. We worked a satisfactory deal that works for both ends. The old contract was replaced by this one and now we have seven more fights with the company ahead of us.”
So much for those dreams of the “sweet science.”
While Aldo’s apparent displeasure with cage fighting may have been used as a negotiating tactic to command more money, especially considering his appeal in Brazil, it’s just as easy to assume the 28-5 striker was legitimately jaded after 15 years in the face-punching business, along with all the rigors that accompany it (like this).
“Junior,” 32, is expected to make his Octagon return in November.