Tag: Jose Aldo

Exclusive – Urijah Faber backs Jose Aldo to ‘Cut the line’ and fight for title after UFC 301: ‘He looked amazing’

Urijah Faber backs Jose Aldo to cut the line with title fight after UFC 301 he looked amazingUrijah Faber stopped by to discuss a revolutionary college MMA program that he and others will spearhead. During his…

Urijah Faber backs Jose Aldo to cut the line with title fight after UFC 301 he looked amazing

Urijah Faber stopped by to discuss a revolutionary college MMA program that he and others will spearhead. During his time with us, he was also kind enough to share his reaction to Jose Aldo’s magnificent UFC 301 victory and Aldo’s desire to “cut the line” and fight Sean O’Malley for UFC bantamweight gold.

Jose Aldo UFC 301 2 1

Faber and Aldo go way back, having shared the cage together during their title match at WEC 48 way back in 2010. Since then, the two have always been very amicable towards each other, and ‘The California Kid’ is overjoyed to see Aldo’s success at 135lbs in the UFC.

Urijah Faber UFC 290

Aldo’s last outing saw him defeat a young up-and-comer named Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301. After the fight, Aldo spoke about his title ambitions and his desire to make one last run at things. Unsurprisingly, this left MMA fans very excited to see a final Jose Aldo run, and Urijah Faber didn’t falter in giving his opinion on the matter.

Urijah Faber speaks on Jose Aldo’s success at 135lbs, would love to see a final title run

When asked about Aldo skipping the line and facing Sean O’Malley for bantamweight gold, Urijah Faber was excited. “I would love to see that,” he said, speaking to Lowkick MMA reporter Makoa Goble. “I think this is one of the best (conditions) that I’ve seen Aldo (in). I think the acclimation to the weight class is big. He was always a big guy. When I fought him at 145lbs, I felt like he was a big guy.”

Jose Aldo UFC 301 1

“I think it really took a while for his body to adjust to being a 135lber, but I thought he looked amazing. We don’t speak the same language, so when I see Aldo, it’s mostly some basic exchanges of greetings and sharing love. We’ve always had a great energy. Before we fought, after we fought, and the years after retirement for me.”

Who do you think that Sean O’Malley will defend his title against next?

Jose Aldo calls for title fight with Sean O’Malley after UFC 301 return: ‘If we can skip the line, it would be great’

Jose Aldo calls for title fight with Sean O'Malley after UFC 301 we can skip the queAfter a strong performance over Jonathon Martinez at UFC 301, the featherweight phenom Jose Aldo is ready to cut…

Jose Aldo calls for title fight with Sean O'Malley after UFC 301 we can skip the que

After a strong performance over Jonathon Martinez at UFC 301, the featherweight phenom Jose Aldo is ready to cut the line and chase one more title.

For Aldo, defeating Sean O’Malley and claiming the bantamweight title would be a beautiful note to end his career on. Although Aldo isn’t as old as we’ve seen some fighters get in the UFC, his body has so much mileage from all of the countless brutal battles it has endured.

Jose Aldo UFC 301 1

Now, 4-1 in his last five UFC fights, the legend Jose Aldo is dreaming about another title run. He mentions how his own coach explained that a man with his type of legend status could very well just cut ahead in line and face the champion. What’s more, it’s an idea that seemingly intrigues Aldo.

Jose Aldo speaks on facing Sean O’Malley for the Bantamweight Title

According to Aldo, his coach believes they could waltz into a title shot that they haven’t really earned. Aldo kind of likes this idea, understandably, and spoke on this after his victory at #UFC301.

Jose Aldo UFC 301 2
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MAY 04: Jose Aldo of Brazil reacts after his victory against Jonathan Martinez in a bantamweight bout during the UFC 301 event at Farmasi Arena on May 04, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“[My coach] always says that with my name, I can skip the line, I can get in there because when we left, we were very well ranked…” Jose Aldo said (H/T MMA Fighting). “If we can skip the line, it would be great. It would be great. I think that’s it, I’ll get some rest and go back to strong training, and new challenges will come.”

Aldo held the UFC’s featherweight title for many years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the division. In his footsteps, of course, came champions like Max Holloway and then eventually Alexander Volkanovski.

Sean O'Malley claims he has information that would ruin family man Marlon Vera UFC
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Now, Aldo fights at bantamweight, and could truly ride off into the sunset with one more title to add to his collection. Such a fight would be very hard to get off of simply beating Jonathan Martinez, though, and regardless of whether he wishes to skip the line or not, one could imagine Aldo needs a few more solid victories at least to challenge for the bantamweight throne.

What do you think the future holds for the bantamweight division?

Marlon Vera calls for rematch with Jose Aldo after stunning retirement return at UFC 301: ‘Let’s run it back’

Marlon Vera offers rematch to Jose Aldo after return from retirement at UFC 301 let's run it backOff the back of his impressive return from a two-year retirement overnight in the co-main event of UFC 301,…

Marlon Vera offers rematch to Jose Aldo after return from retirement at UFC 301 let's run it back

Off the back of his impressive return from a two-year retirement overnight in the co-main event of UFC 301, former undisputed featherweight champion, Jose Aldo has been offered a route back to the bantamweight crown by most recent title challenger, Marlon Vera, in the form of a title-eliminator rematch.

Aldo, a former undisputed featherweight champion and inductee into the ‘Fighter Wing’ of the promotion’s Hall of Fame, snapped an almost two-year stay away from the Octagon overnight in his return to Rio de Janeiro.

Jose Aldo UFC 301 1

And taking on the streaking top-10 ranked, Jonathan Martinez, Manaus favorite, Aldo turned in a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) victory against the former, snapping his six-fight winning run to boot.

Showing off his ever-improving boxing skills, Aldo managed to rock Martinez badly in the third and final round, almost dropping the latter, before assuming top position with a blistering takedown, and riding out the frame on top until the buzzer.

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With the victory, Aldo completed his contractual obligations with the organization, and has stressed his desire to compete in another professional boxing match – ideally in July on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s clash with the polarizing, Jake Paul. 

Marlon Vera remains on UFC 292 card in August in fight against Pedro Munhoz
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

However, also weighing up one final potential title run at the bantamweight limit, Andre Pedernerais student, Aldo admitted promotional brass were still entitled to match any contract offer if they wish, or waive their right.

Jose Aldo offered rematch with Marlon Vera after UFC 301

And offered a shot back to the title most definitely, Aldo – who holds a decision win over the above-mentioned Ecuador striker, Vera back in 2020, has been offered a rematch by the most recent divisional title chaser.

“Let’s run it back Aldo????” Marlon Vera posted on his official X account off the back of Jose Aldo’s victory at UFC 301.

Would you like to see Jose Aldo rematch Marlon Vera later this year?