Jose Aldo‘s mentality has undergone a dramatic change since becoming UFC champion.
The Brazilian knockout artist understands the importance of putting on exciting fights, but he also knows that winning is the only thing ensuring his championship reign and future financial security.
“When it all started in the WEC, I had no responsibility. I had a dream, fighting for my house, and the guys [in my way were roadblocks] holding up my dream,” Aldo said in an interview with SporTV, via Google translation. “Nobody knew who Aldo was. I could throw knees and everything.”
“Today, everybody wants to be champion. They all watch my tapes to see what I do. They study me a lot more now that I’m the target. I have to study twice as hard because I know they will come up with something new too.”
Aldo’s story truly is a fascinating one.
The Manaus native had a tough life growing up. He had very little money, and there were times he would show up at the gym having gone a day without eating. In an interview with UFC.com, Aldo reminisced about his life prior to becoming an MMA star.
The reason why I searched for MMA was because I needed the money. I was competing in all the Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, and there were no cash prizes. We were living in the gym, and it was hard. Then Dede Perdeneiras started an MMA team, and from there, I started training MMA with the guys, had one, two fights.
Dede, since the beginning would say: “You are going to be rich, one day. MMA is getting big. You will be rich.” I would play around: “Imagine, my brother. You are crazy bro.” And thank God, today, that idea Dede had back in the day is now becoming a reality.
Aldo is currently riding a 13-fight win streak. Since winning the featherweight title in November 2009, he has successfully defended his throne four consecutive times. Most publications have him listed alongside UFC champions Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Still, Aldo has undergone criticism for his lack of finishes. In his past four bouts, three of those fights have gone the distance. At UFC 129, Aldo surprised fans by relying on his wrestling instead of striking to ride out top position and take a unanimous decision over Mark Hominick.
As a fighter, it’s tough to find a balance between winning and being exciting. The MMA world wants exciting fights, but if fighters aren’t winning on a consistent basis, they’re either unemployed or not making main event money.
Aldo loves putting on a show for fans, but it is also his hope to work to provide a better future for himself and his family. The top fighters in the world aren’t determined by their level of excitement. They are determined by whether they are winning or losing.
“[I’m the champion because I’m winning. I can’t leave myself open],” said Aldo. “In a million years, nobody will know whether or not [it was a finish] or the fight went five rounds. All that will matter is who was champion.”
“Georges St-Pierre always goes five rounds. He’s still the champion and considered as number one in almost all categories. I do not see any problem in this. The important thing is winning the fight.”
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