MMA News

Tag: Jose Aldo

  • MMA News Today: Dana White Makes Conor McGregor – Mike Tyson Comparison About Fight IQ, ‘Chito’ Vera Hints That José Aldo Was ‘On The Juice’ During UFC Comeback, & More

    MMA News Today: Dana White Makes Conor McGregor – Mike Tyson Comparison About Fight IQ, ‘Chito’ Vera Hints That José Aldo Was ‘On The Juice’ During UFC Comeback, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For May 28, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • White praises McGregor’s business and fighting mind
    • Vera has suspicions of Brazilian drug testing protocol 
    • Ulberg talks ahead of huge opportunity on June 29

    Dana White Talks About What Makes Conor McGregor Special That You Simply Can’t Teach

    During a recent appearance on the In Search of Excellence Podcast, UFC President Dana White spoke about the emergence of Conor McGregor as a superstar.

    White recalls his first encounter with “The Notorious” where they met in Las Vegas after he was signed to the promotion.

    From the moment he met him, the UFC boss knew that they had something special on their hands if the confident Irishman could back it up in the cage.

    White also emphasised how despite coming from a working class background and cashing welfare cheques, McGregor is an excellent businessman with a great mind for the sport.

    He credited the former UFC champ-champ with having the kind of instincts that you simply can’t teach, comparing him to one of the biggest combat sports stars that came before him.

    “If you look at all the brands that he has built off of his brand, very very sharp kid. When you hear some speak, he’s very articulate about fighting. Again when you talk about fighter IQ, like Tyson, Conor’s fight IQ is off the charts.” 

    Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera Says He Thinks But Can’t Prove That José Aldo Was Juicing For Return Fight At UFC 301

    José Aldo is back in the mix at bantamweight following his triumphant return to the Octagon earlier this month.

    At UFC 301 in Brazil, the former featherweight great looked back to his best against Jonathan Martinez, earning himself a spot in the top 10 rankings in the process.

    One fight that could be next for Aldo in this final run of his career is a rematch with Marlon “Chito” Vera who currently sits in the #4 spot.

    Vera suffered a defeat to Aldo back in December of 2020 which he rebounded from with a great winning streak.

    During a recent appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Vera suggested that he isn’t sure whether or not his former opponent was being tested for his return fight.

    “Chito” didn’t say for certain but he does have his suspicions about what went down in Brazil. 

    “Check this out, fighting in Brazil, no USADA, those [Jose Aldo] traps were f****** thick so… José might go to those f****** farmers and [juice]. I mean they’re notorious for that, that’s normal in Brazil right? I don’t know, I cannot prove it but I mean you fight in Brazil, I don’t think they’re testing.” 

    Carlos Ulberg Speaks On Jamahal Hill Fight & Conor McGregor Inspiration

    The opportunity to fight on June 29 at UFC 303 is going to be massive for all of the fighters on the undercard but especially Carlos Ulberg.

    International Fight Week is set to be even bigger than usual thanks to the long-awaited return of Conor McGregor in the main event.

    Ulberg wasn’t originally booked for the card but after calling his shot and putting in a great performance earlier this month, he got the opportunity to replace Khalil Rountree and face former champion Jamahal Hill.

    In a recent interview with Engage on YouTube, he spoke for the first time about this fight and where he stands on McGregor and fighting on the same card as his comeback.

    “We’re going up against Hill, I think he’s number three at the moment so that’s some really good news that puts us in a really good spot and I’m not going to pass that opportunity.”

    “He is definitely a big star and to fight under that undercard would be amazing and if we can get the co-main event, then that’d be even more spectacular so yeah man.

    “He goes in with confidence and that’s something that I like to lead into my fights. When I jump in that cage, it’s just me, my opponent and the preparation that I’ve had prior.” 

    Read more on the story here.

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  • Archives: McGregor Involved In Bar Fight With Brazilian Fan? (2015)

    Yesterday, we ran a story of Conor McGregor singing the praises of old rival José Aldo in defense of his former rival against those who have ‘forgotten’ him. On this day seven years ago, however, their feud was at peak levels.

    In fact, if taken seriously, McGregor was even feuding with some random countrymen of Aldo, including in an alleged pub brawl that predated the infamous pub punch that McGregor was charged for four years later.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 20, 2015, 12:47 PM]

    At the UFC 189 “World Tour” press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Friday, an interesting exchange took place between Conor McGregor and a Brazilian fan.

    During the fan portion of the question-and-answer session, one fan, in particular, claimed that he got punched by McGregor at a “pub” on Thursday night. He continued by taunting McGregor, saying “he’s still here.”

    McGregor responded, “you cried like a bitch, I remember you!”

    Whether or not this was a fan joking around and McGregor simply went along with it, remains to be seen, but McGregor and UFC President Dana White, both of whom, along with UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo, were all in attendance to promote their UFC 189 main event, sure had big smiles on their face.

    For those who missed it, you can watch the first stop in the UFC 189 “World Tour” press conference below.

    Headlined by the UFC Featherweight Championship bout between Aldo and McGregor, with a co-main event of Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald for the UFC Welterweight Championship, UFC 189 takes place on Saturday, July 11th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • McGregor: The Fight Game Has Become “Very Forgetful” Of José Aldo

    Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor thinks fans need to give veterans like José Aldo more credit and not forget their prowess.

    McGregor and Aldo have come a long way since their heated buildup to their featherweight title fight at UFC 194. The two former featherweight champions were once as hostile as it gets with one another but have become cordial in recent years.

    Aldo has experienced a new chapter in his MMA career down at bantamweight with recent impressive wins over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font at 135 pounds. He could be on the verge of another bantamweight title shot despite having lost to Petr Yan for the then-vacant belt at UFC 251.

    McGregor is hoping for a bounceback of his own later this year in his Octagon return. He’s targeting a welterweight title shot against Kamaru Usman for his next fight if Usman can successfully defend his belt against Leon Edwards.

    Like Aldo, some have downplayed the idea that McGregor can still compete for UFC championships. During a recent interview with TheMacLife, McGregor praised Aldo for his recent successes despite some writing him off in the past.

    “The game is very forgetful…” McGregor said. “The disrespect Aldo received, for example, and people saying people are done. If you look at Glover Teixeira, who’s now a UFC champion, it’s important to just block out that noise because it’s dribble. It’s never what it is, and I’m very happy for José and seeing what he’s been doing, and I look forward to having the exact same thing myself.”

    McGregor lost back-to-back fights to Dustin Poirier in 2021 via stoppages, with the latest coming after he suffered a horrific leg break at UFC 264. He’s looking to recapture the magic he sustained after becoming a two-division UFC champion with wins over Aldo and Eddie Alvarez.

    Aldo has hinted at a potential matchup with TJ Dillashaw for his next UFC outing, although it’s unclear when Dillashaw will return from his knee injury. McGregor and Aldo were once the bitterest of rivals inside the Octagon, but have appeared to squash their beef as both look to reclaim UFC gold.

    Do you agree with Conor McGregor regarding José Aldo?

  • Korean Zombie: Nobody Even Thought About Beating Aldo 9 Years Ago

    Korean Zombie will be fighting for UFC gold for the second time in his career, but this time around, he has much more confidence.

    Zombie fought José Aldo at UFC 163 in 2013 when the champ was 22-1 and hadn’t lost since 2005. He was viewed as unbeatable and many weren’t giving Zombie a chance as he was around a +600 underdog which was the biggest he was in his entire career.

    Ultimately, it was Aldo winning by fourth-round TKO after Zombie dislocated his shoulder. Now, years later, the fan-favorite spoke about the fight and said it is a good learning experience for him.

    “Nine years ago, nobody could beat José Aldo. Nobody even thought about beating him. Nobody entertained (it). And (I’m) so happy that (I’m) fortunate enough to fight him because (I) had the experience now to actually step up and win a title (fight),” Zombie said through his interpreter on The MMA Hour.”

    Korean Zombie is set to return to fight Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title in the main event of UFC 273 on April 9. Volkanovski was originally supposed to fight Max Holloway but the Hawaiian was forced out of the bout due to an injury, which allowed Zombie to get the shot. The event also takes place in Jacksonville, Florida.

    Korean Zombie (17-6) is currently ranked fourth at featherweight and returned to the win column last time out with a decision win over Dan Ige. In the fight before, he lost a decision to Brian Ortega which snapped his two-fight winning streak and had he won, he likely would’ve gotten a title shot. In his career, Jung holds notable wins over Dustin Poirier, Frankie Edgar, and Dennis Bermudez among others.

    Do you think Korean Zombie will win the featherweight championship this time after coming up short against José Aldo 9 years ago?

  • Dillashaw Welcomes Future Fight With ‘Lower-Weight Godfather’ Aldo

    TJ Dillashaw would be open to a fight with José Aldo.

    TJ Dillashaw knows what it is like to be a UFC champion. He was on top of the bantamweight division for three years before having to serve a suspension for a failed drug test. Now that Dillashaw is back and ready to continue his UFC career, he has one goal in mind, which is to regain his lost title.

    “Let’s be honest, I left as a champion,” Dillashaw told ESPN. “I came back, fought a No. 1 contender after a 2.5-year layoff. I was able to beat him. What else is there for me? Nothing is going to get me up and excited except getting my belt back. That’s my goal. There’s nothing else for me to really set my eyes on.”

    Dillashaw is in a bit of a holding pattern right now. He suffered an injury that required him to undergo surgery. His last bout was back in July when he defeated interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen. Although the surgery went well, Dillashaw still has some healing to do. He spoke a bit about his timeline for return.

    “I wouldn’t say an exact timeframe, but I imagine halfway through the year,” he explained. “I’m able to hit mitts, strength, and conditioning. I haven’t done any grappling yet. That’s the last thing I’ll feel comfortable about again. And then I have to start thinking about getting into a camp.”

    TJ Dillashaw Open To Fighting José Aldo

    Jose Aldo
    Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Dillashaw is currently sitting in the #2 spot in the division, right behind interim champion Petr Yan. With Yan already set to face the champion, Aljamain Sterling, in April, that could leave Dillashaw out of the loop. Fortunately, there has been someone calling his name for a while now. That man is none other than José Aldo.

    “I think he has called me out after every one of his fights recently which is amazing,” Dillashaw said. “I’ve looked up to Aldo, I think everyone has looked up to Aldo. Aldo’s been like one of the godfathers of the lower weight classes, but we’ll have our time, he keeps doing what he’s doing, I’m going to get my belt back, and then it would be really amazing.”

    Aldo recently won three in a row at bantamweight and could be in the title hunt himself. A possible #1-contender fight with Dillashaw could be an interesting one and a real possibility depending on what happens with Sterling vs. Yan at UFC 273.

    Do you think Dillashaw will get a title shot without fighting José Aldo first?

  • Dominick Cruz Open To José Aldo Fight Following UFC 269

    Former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz is open to continuing his rise back to the top with a fight against top-five contender José Aldo.

    Cruz was in action for the second time in 2021 this past weekend. After rebounding from his return loss against Henry Cejudo with a split decision victory over Casey Kenney at UFC 259 in March, “The Dominator” hoped to end the year by moving further up the rankings and setting himself on a win streak with a triumph over Pedro Munhoz.

    With a classic Cruz performance, he accomplished both at UFC 269. After recovering from an early knockdown, the top-10 contender composed himself and entered the flow that’s brought him so much success across his illustrious career. After three rounds of action inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, Cruz was awarded a unanimous decision win.

    Cruz: “I’m Going Up Towards The Title”

    Having gotten past the #8-ranked bantamweight, Cruz will now be looking to fight up the rankings yet again as his pursuit for a third dose of UFC title success goes on. One name that interests many fans is José Aldo. Like Cruz, “Junior” is a former champion and a legend of the sport.

    The Brazilian was in action last weekend in the UFC Vegas 44 main event. Against top contender Rob Font, Aldo proved he’s capable of a surge back to the top with a five-round decision victory. His latest success followed wins against Munhoz and Marlon “Chito” Vera. Having risen to #3 on the bantamweight ladder, Aldo is targeting a title eliminator against TJ Dillashaw next.

    Given Aldo’s position in the rankings, it’s perhaps not surprising that Cruz would be more than willing to clash with the fellow legend. During the UFC 269 post-fight press conference, “The Dominator” said he certainly wouldn’t turn down a clash with the 35-year-old.

    “Yeah I mean, I’m not gonna say no to a Aldo fight, just because, you know, that moves me closer to the title. Aldo’s a legend in the sport. I have nothing but respect for all these guys. So, I’m trying to go, you know, I’m going up towards the title… I’m not gonna say no to anything.”

    It appears much more likely Cruz could be matched up with Aldo’s latest beaten foe Font over the in-form Brazilian. If he’s to fight up the rankings, the former champ’s potential options are limited to either Font, Merab Dvalishvili, Cory Sandhagen or a rematch with Cody Garbrandt, who unsuccessfully tested the flyweight waters this past weekend.

    Either way, it’ll be intriguing to see how Cruz fares against some of the top-ranked opponents in the division. If he could get past Font or Sandhagen, Cruz’s name would firmly arrive in the title conversation.

    Who would you like to see Dominick Cruz face next?

  • Flashback To Conor McGregor’s 13-Second KO Of José Aldo At UFC 194

    Six years ago today, Conor McGregor made the giant leap from rising star to megastar, and it only took him 13 seconds.

    UFC 194 was headlined by the featherweight unification title bout between undisputed champion José Aldo and Conor McGregor. The build-up remains, to this day, one of the most contentious of all time due to the relentless provocation of Aldo by The Notorious One.

    Here is an extended look at the build-up of what was arguably the most anticipated fight in the history of the featherweight division and of 2015.

    The Play-By-Play

    Below is a look at the live play-by-play provided by MMA News during the UFC 194 event (h/t Matt Boone):

    Round 1: The first two “holy sh*t I can’t believe this is happening” fights delivered lots of action, drama, and storytelling. Now, it’s time for the real deal. The main event. The one everyone has been waiting for. To UFC’s credit, they did not stall or do much hype bullsh*t at all. They went from Rockhold and Weidman interviews to Conor McGregor’s entrance in just a few minutes.

    “Notorious B.I.G.” by The Notorious B.I.G. plays as “The Notorious” Conor McGregor wraps up in the Irish flag and makes his walk to the Octagon. Can he really get it done against the best in the world, or is he just really good? We’re about to find out!

    McGregor settles in the cage as the camera pans and “Run This Town” by Jay-Z, Kanye West & Rihanna plays as the only UFC 145-pound champion in history, José Aldo, begins his walk to the cage. The dude looks ready as hell, folks. Bruce Buffer does his thing. Seconds, people. SECONDS away. McGregor is introduced and takes to the center of the cage like a boss. Aldo is introduced and swings side-to-side with his head down the entire time like a killer.

    Staredown time. Aldo walks up with his head down and continues what he was just doing. McGregor just stares at him. Here we go!

    Holy shit, it’s over. McGregor face-planted Aldo with his first shot. One follow-up. Aldo was out stiff, face-first. Ladies and gentlemen, “The Notorious” Conor McGregor is the real deal. He did what he said he was going to do again.

    Conor McGregor def. Jose Aldo via knockout (punch) at 0:13 of Round 1 to become the new undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion.

    Note: 13 seconds folks. Prior to Bruce Buffer’s official decision, we saw José Aldo with a towel covering his face crying. Poor guy. McGregor meanwhile is doing the “make it rain” hand gesture sitting on top of the cage. McGregor says he feels sad for Aldo but precision beats power. We see replays of the knockout again.

    The Live Reaction

    Check out this video the UFC put together of the live reaction to this historic KO:

    The Aftermath

    After this ascent to megastardom, Conor McGregor would take it up even another level when he became the first-ever simultaneous multi-division champion when he defeated Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 205.

    Today, McGregor is ranked #9 in the UFC’s lightweight division and continues to set records and accumulate wealth inside and outside of the Octagon. Meanwhile, José Aldo has been unable to reclaim UFC championship gold but is currently experiencing a career resurgence that has him ranked #3 in the bantamweight division.

    As for that contentious build-up, these two former enemies have been exchanging mutual respect recently, with McGregor even coming to Aldo’s defense after Khabib Nurmagomedov questioned his current skill level.

    What was your reaction to Conor McGregor’s historic 13-second knockout of José Aldo at UFC 194?

  • Dana White On Potential Jose Aldo/TJ Dillashaw Fight: “I Love It”

    Former champions José Aldo and TJ Dillashaw could be on a collision course at bantamweight, and UFC president Dana White wants to book it.

    Aldo and Dillashaw are undoubtedly two of the top bantamweights in the world at the moment after each earned wins this year. UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will more than likely face Petr Yan in a rematch next, which opens the conversation to who could be the next top contender.

    In a division that is stacked from top-to-bottom, Dillashaw and Aldo have managed to beat some of the top guys to earn a spot in the title picture.

    During a recent interview with Barstool Sports, White explained why an Aldo vs. Dillashaw fight makes sense.

    “I love it,” White said. “Yeah, I love it. That’s a fun fight. And it’s #2 versus #3.  Do that fight, see who gets the next title shot.”

    José Aldo Vs. TJ Dillashaw Would Surely Be A No. 1 Contender Fight

    Aldo most recently dominantly defeated Rob Font in the UFC Vegas 44 main event. In a matchup of two elite strikers, Aldo proved that he remains on top of his game despite being the promotion for many years.

    Dillashaw recently returned from a lengthy USADA suspension to squeak out a split decision win against the always-dangerous Cory Sandhagen in July. After undergoing recent knee surgery, he’s been sidelined and is anticipating a return sometime early next year.

    Aldo and Dillashaw at one point were considered two of the top fighters in the world, as both men earned titles at featherweight and bantamweight, respectively. White sounds just as pumped up as nearly everyone else for a potential matchup between the two.

    How do you think a TJ Dillashaw vs. José Aldo fight would play out?

  • Marlon Vera Wants Aldo To “Be A Man” And Accept Five-Round Rematch

    UFC bantamweight Marlon “Chito” Vera has called out top-five contender José Aldo for a five-round rematch following the Brazilian’s victory over Rob Font this past weekend.

    The pair first collided on a stacked UFC Vegas 17 card last December. At the time, Aldo was on a three-fight losing skid, having fallen to defeats against Alexander Volkanovski, Marlon Moraes, and Petr Yan. Vera, meanwhile, was riding high after becoming the first man to beat Sean O’Malley four months prior.

    Across a competitive three rounds, Aldo had the edge and secured a unanimous decision victory. While he marked his first win at bantamweight, Vera fell short of breaking into contention.

    Since their clash, both men have been in exceptional form. After avenging his previous loss to England’s Davey Grant in a Fight of the Night contest earlier this year, Vera faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 268 last month. Inside Madison Square Garden, “Chito” recorded a memorable highlight-reel knockout courtesy of a front kick.

    For Aldo, two wins in 2021 against top contenders have seen him once again enter the title scene. First was a co-main event triumph over his compatriot Pedro Munhoz at UFC 265 in August. The former featherweight titleholder then extended his streak to three on Saturday with a commanding main event performance against Font, who many had tipped to fight for the title in 2022.

    Vera Shoots His Shot

    Despite their places in the rankings, which sees Vera narrowly outside the top 10 and Aldo firmly inside the top five, the Ecuadorian wants a second chapter with “Junior.”

    Taking to Twitter in the aftermath of Aldo’s latest success, “Chito” challenged the Brazilian to a five-round headliner. As far as ambitious callouts go, this is certainly up there…

    “Let’s do it again @josealdojunior be a man and take a 5 rounder with me.”

    The chance of the rematch happening is slim, at least for now. Aldo firmly has his sights set on reaching the top of the food chain again, something a victory over Vera would not help to achieve.

    While Vera will likely to have to re-adjust his target to the likes of Marlon Moraes and the loser of the upcoming Dominick Cruz vs. Pedro Munhoz clash, Aldo will be hoping to secure a title eliminator against former two-time bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw.

    Would you like to see Marlon Vera and José Aldo run it back down the line?

  • Aldo After UFC Vegas 44 Win: No One Will Stop Me From Being Champion

    Former UFC featherweight champion José Aldo will stop at nothing for another shot at the bantamweight title before his career is over.

    Aldo earned arguably the biggest win since moving down to bantamweight over Rob Font at UFC Vegas 44. Despite some early struggles in the fight, he controlled the pace on the feet throughout and battered Font badly as the bout went on.

    Aldo’s kickboxing was in full force on Saturday night, as he landed hard combinations to all targets. In rounds 4 and 5, he knocked down and nearly finished the fight twice before Font was somehow able to recover and survive.

    Following the win, Aldo took to Instagram to thank his fans and look ahead to what’s next in his illustrious career.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXGBvzmrGLl/

    “Thank you to my fans, thank you Brazil!” Aldo posted. “My team and my family! I’m after my dream, I want to be the champion of the [division] and no one will stop me!”

    José Aldo Could Get TJ Dillashaw Or A Title Shot Next

    Entering UFC Vegas 44, Aldo earned back-to-back impressive wins over Marlon Vera and Pedro Munhoz. After dropping his first two bantamweight outings to Petr Yan and Marlon Moraes, he’s rebounded nicely and appears more comfortable with the weight cut to 135 pounds.

    Aldo called out former bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw following his win, and the timing could make a lot of sense for both men to fight. Yan will face Aljamain Sterling in a title rematch next unless it falls through once again.

    Regardless of who Aldo ends up competing against next, the fact he’s able to still compete amongst the elite in the UFC is incredible.

    Who would you like to see José Aldo fight next?

  • The Pulse of MMA: Fans React To José Aldo’s Victory Over Rob Font

    The Pulse of MMA: Fan Reactions To The Sport’s Biggest Stories

    In this installment of The Pulse of MMA, we look at the raw, unfiltered reactions from MMA fans to the result of UFC Vegas 44’s main event between José Aldo and Rob Font.

    José Aldo def. Rob Font via Unanimous Decision At UFC Vegas 44

    Jose Aldo's power too much for Rob Font at UFC Vegas 44

    Last night at UFC Vegas 44, José Aldo picked up his third consecutive victory when he defeated Rob Font via unanimous decision. Font brought the fight to him but Aldo stood strong and struck back with more firepower behind his shots. You can check out the official scorecards from the bout below.

    Judges Derek Cleary and Junichiro Kamijo gave all five rounds to Aldo while Sal D’Amato gave the third to Font. If you missed the action, you can catch our highlights from yesterday’s event right here.

    After the bout in the Octagon interview, Aldo reiterated what he said leading into the bout, which is that he would fancy a fight against T.J. Dillashaw next. With Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling on a collision course to settle their unfinished business, Dillashaw is unbooked and should be ready to return from knee surgery in early 2022.

    Aldo’s peers have reacted to his win over Font last night, but what about the Pulse of MMA? Check out the raw, unfiltered reactions of what fans had to say about the UFC Vegas 44 main event below!

    https://twitter.com/MMAWillis_/status/1467376852247334914
    https://twitter.com/Stek02/status/1467378971264356354

    Want to weigh in on the sport’s biggest stories? Be sure to follow us on Twitter and let your voice be heard!

  • Fighters React To Jose Aldo’s Decision Win Over Rob Font At UFC Vegas 44

    Rob Font vs. Jose Aldo lived up to expectations. 

    The two fighters met in a bout on Saturday night (December 4) at the UFC Vegas 44 event from Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex facility.

    Font did get a takedown, but it was brief, in the first round. Font kept moving forward while Aldo was looking to counter strike. Aldo landed a big strike that dropped Font to end the round. In the second round, Aldo landed a big time uppercut, but Font came back with combos and the jab. In the third round, Aldo defended a takedown and got on top.

    Aldo was landing some serious leg kicks. The start of the fourth round, Aldo dropped him with a knee strike and got on top. In the fifth round, they did some clinch work. Aldo dropped him in the middle of the round before taking Font’s back. Aldo got the decision win. 

    Peep the highlights of the fight courtesy of the UFC’s official Twitter account:

    Let’s see how the fighters reacted to the outcome of this fight: 

    Font had won his last 5 out of 6 bouts and was on a four-fight winning streak heading into this fight. He ripped off wins over the likes of Sergio Pettis in December 2018 by decision, Ricky Simón via decision in December 2019 and a KO win over Marlon Moraes in December 2020. He most recently beat Cody Garbrandt by decision in May 2021. 

    Aldo entered this fight with a 4-5 record in his previous nine bouts with two of those losses coming to Max Holloway. He suffered a decision loss to Alexander Volkanovski at the UFC 237 pay-per-view event from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil. He dropped a split decision loss to Marlon Moraes at UFC 245. He got TKO’d by Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight title at the UFC 251 pay-per-view event from Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island aka Fight Island. Aldo then beat Marlon Vera at UFC Vegas 17 in December 2020. In his previous fight, he beat Pedro Munoz by decision at UFC 265. 

    UFC Vegas 44 Results: Rob Font vs. Jose Aldo, Brad Riddell vs. Rafael Fiziev

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 44. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • [ARCHIVES] Aldo Says “POS” McGregor Didn’t Keep His Word

    [MMA NEWS ARCHIVES]

    The following article was published five years ago, where tonight’s UFC Vegas 44 headliner José Aldo accused McGregor of backing out of a deal they had made prior to their UFC 194 bout. The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 14, 2016, 5:48 PM]

    Former UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo recently spoke out about a pre-fight agreement made with UFC officials prior to his title defense against Conor McGregor at UFC 194 and explained how “The Notorious” Irishman broke his word immediately after the fight.

    Aldo told Portal Vale Tudo that prior to losing his title to McGregor at the UFC 194 pay-per-view that both he and McGregor agreed to vacate the Featherweight title after the fight — regardless of who won — and move up to the Lightweight division where they were told they would then receive an immediate shot at the UFC Lightweight title.

    “I won’t accept another fight if it’s not for the belt. When we signed the contract, the intention was that the winner would fight at lightweight, but we would need to abandon the featherweight belt.”

    Aldo continued, explaining that after that, if they wanted to return to the Featherweight division, they would again immediately receive a shot at whoever the champion would be at that point in the weight class.

    “That was the plan, that’s what they told us. If we fought at lightweight, win or lose, and then had the opportunity to fight at featherweight again, it would be for the title immediately. I think they gave him too much power and he’s playing now, calling the shots more than the others. I think that’s wrong, no one ever did that.”

    In conclusion, Aldo said that it’s not so much that the “piece of sh*t” McGregor broke his word, but it’s a sign that it shows it is McGregor, not Dana White or another UFC executive, that appears to be calling the shots in the UFC lately.

    “It doesn’t matter if it’s about money or not at this point, what matters is show who calls the shots, who’s the boss, and not just a piece of s–t talking about things you see. He doesn’t deserve to be where he is. I’ve always respected all the merits, but he had more luck than merits.”

    (H/T for transcribing: MMAFighting.com)

  • [ARCHIVES] Wife Says UFC Tried To Get Aldo To Fight McGregor Hurt

    [MMA NEWS ARCHIVES]

    Tonight, José Aldo will be headlining UFC Vegas 44 opposite Rob Font, and hopefully he’ll be doing so at 100%. The following is an article about a time his wife accused the UFC of trying to get Aldo to fight arguably the biggest fight of his career while injured. The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 8, 2015, 6:13 PM]

    As we draw closer to this Saturday’s UFC 194 pay-per-view featuring the UFC Featherweight Championship unification bout between José Aldo and Conor McGregor, controversy over their originally scheduled fight at UFC 189 is starting to come to light thanks to the wife of the linear UFC 145-pound champion.

    Aldo’s wife, Vivianne Pereira, recently spoke with Brazilian media outlet Combate and made the claim that UFC President Dana White called her husband and tried to get him to fight McGregor at UFC 189 as scheduled, despite the fact that he was suffering from a painful rib injury.

    “Dana [called], talking about numbers. ‘It’s millions of dollars that you’re losing. You have to fight. You’ve never made this in your life’. [Jose] trying everything, doing everything. They didn’t want to announce it because who else would they put in the fight? They spent millions on the fight. How would they say he broke his rib? They didn’t want to admit they held it back, threw that on us, and we were saying it was broken.”

    UFC has since responded to the claims made by Aldo’s wife. A UFC official issued the following statement to MMAFighting.com.

    “Jose’s health and safety were always a priority and we worked closely with he and his team to ensure that he had access to the best medical care and consultation after sustaining the injury. We respect and understand that he could not proceed with the fight at UFC 189 due to the injury. Both fighters have now arrived in Las Vegas for this historic event, and we’re excited that UFC 194 is just days away.”

    Fans know the rest of the story. Aldo pulled out of the fight on very short notice and top contender Chad Mendes, who was paid by UFC to be on standby in case either fighter had to pull out, stepped in and fought McGregor in an interim title fight. “The Notorious” one went on to knock out Mendes in the second round to set the stage for another Aldo-McGregor show to close out the year.

    And we’re almost there!

    UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor takes place this Saturday, December 12th from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and will air live on pay-per-view. Make sure to visit MMANews.com on Saturday evening for the absolute best UFC 194 live results on the web!

  • UFC Vegas 44: Font vs Aldo Weigh-In Results & Preview

    Every fighter has made weight ahead of UFC Vegas 44, including the event’s headliners, Rob Font and José Aldo.

    UFC Vegas 44 takes place Saturday, December 4, 2021, from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, Rob Font (#4) will battle José Aldo (#5). Font has candidly stated that he does not believe a win here would be enough for him to earn a title shot, yet he still expects that his jab and other tools in his arsenal will be enough to get the job done nonetheless.

    On the contrary, Aldo has a “title shot or bust” mentality for the duration of his career, and this is just another chapter in that journey. With a victory here, Aldo would prefer a bout against TJ Dillashaw next before earning a second stab at the bantamweight championship.

    In the co-main event, Rafael Fiziev will take on Brad Riddell. MMA News caught up with Fiziev prior to tomorrow’s battle. One of the things Fiziev had to say ahead of tomorrow’s contest is he views this fight as a must-win if he is to secure a strong new UFC contract. If he is victorious, he would have handed Riddell his first loss in the UFC.

    Also competing on tomorrow’s card is ranked lightweights Jimmy Crute and Jamahal Hill. Hill told MMA News that he is moving on from the brutal outcome of his previous bout against Paul Craig. Tomorrow, the world will witness how the promising young light heavyweight rebounds.

    Additionally, Brendan Allen will be taking on Chris Curtis, who is coming off a big knockout win over Phil Hawes at UFC 268. Allen spoke with MMA News about how he negotiated his own UFC contract ahead of this bout, which will be against the short-notice replacement Chris Curtis.

    MMA News also caught up with Mickey Gall ahead of his main card bout against Alex Morono. Gall believes he is a bigger killer than “The Great White” and that the world will witness this for themselves tomorrow night.

    The main card for UFC Vegas 44 begins at 10:00 PM ET, with the preliminary bouts starting at 7:00 PM. The entire card will be available on ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes.

    You can find the full weigh-in results below, courtesy of UFC.com, and you check out the video of today’s weigh-ins here, courtesy of MMA Weekly.

    UFC Vegas 44 Weigh-In Results

    Main Card

    Main Event – Bantamweight Bout: Rob Font (134) vs Jose Aldo (136)

    Co-Main Event – Lightweight Bout: Brad Riddell (155.5) vs Rafael Fiziev (155.5)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Jimmy Crute (205.5) vs Jamahal Hill (205)

    Lightweight Bout: Clay Guida (155) vs Leonardo Santos (156)

    Middleweight Bout: Brendan Allen (185.5) vs Chris Curtis (185)

    Welterweight Bout: Alex Morono (170.5) vs Mickey Gall (170.5)

    Preliminary Card

    Middleweight Bout: Maki Pitolo (184.5) vs Dusko Todorovic (185.5)

    Flyweight Bout: Manel Kape (125.5) vs Zhalgas Zhumagulov (125.5)

    Welterweight Bout: Bryan Barberena (170.5) vs Darian Weeks (170)

    Welterweight Bout: Jake Matthews (170) vs Jeremiah Wells (170.5)

    Strawweight Bout: Cheyanne Vlismas (115.5) vs Mallory Martin (115) 

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Alonzo Menifield (205.5) vs William Knight (206)

    Lightweight Bout: Claudio Puelles (155) vs Chris Gruetzemacher (156)

    Bantamweight Bout: Louis Smolka (135.5) vs Vince Morales (135.5)

    Be sure to visit MMANews.com tomorrow full for coverage of UFC Vegas 44, including all the highlights and results from the event!

  • José Aldo: “I’m Not Going To Stop Until I Get This Title”

    UFC bantamweight contender José Aldo has no intention of calling time on his career until he has gold wrapped around his waist again.

    Also is widely regarded as the greatest featherweight of all time. Between 2011 and 2015, the Brazilian defended the 145-pound UFC title seven times, the most in the division’s history. Before falling to his first loss in the promotion at the hands of Conor McGregor, Aldo defeated names like Chad Mendes, Frankie Edgar, and Chan Sung Jung.

    After going 3-4 at featherweight between 2015 and 2019, Aldo made the move down to 135 pounds. Following a controversial divisional-debut loss to Marlon Moraes, which many believe “Junior” won, Aldo fought Petr Yan for the vacant belt last July. He fell short of reaching a second mountaintop after being brutally finished in the fifth round.

    But that hasn’t damaged the veteran’s title aspirations. Having gotten on the board in his new weight class with decision victories over Marlon Vera and Pedro Munhoz, Aldo will be looking to move one step closer to a second bantamweight title shot when he returns to action this weekend at UFC Vegas 44. In his way will be #4-ranked contender Rob Font.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWlmBcRNwRo/

    Aldo Maintains Championship Aspirations

    Despite recording back-to-back wins over a couple of well-established bantamweight contenders, not many believe Aldo can attain championship status again. The great Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired as an unbeaten lightweight champion following his victory over Justin Gaethje last year, even suggested it would be impossible for “Junior” to experience a second peak.

    Nevertheless, that isn’t fazing Aldo. During UFC Vegas 44 media day, the Brazilian claimed he won’t be hanging up his gloves until he secures his place on the bantamweight throne. The 35-year-old cited Glover Teixeira’s recent light heavyweight championship crowning at UFC 267, which came two days after his 42nd birthday, as proof he can mount another run for gold.

    “If you look at Glover Teixeira, I’m still a kid,” Aldo said. “I want to continue doing this and I’m not going to stop until I get this title and I’m going to continue fighting at this high level.” (h/t FanSided)

    If Aldo can stop the surge of the charging Font in this weekend’s main event, he’ll certainly arrive back into contention. From there, he’s targeting a title eliminator with former two-time champ TJ Dillashaw, who returned from suspension with a victory over Cory Sandhagen last year.

    Given his emphatic defeat to Yan last summer, it stands to reason Aldo will need Aljamain Sterling to walk away from his unification bout against the Russian with the belt still in his possession. if that’s the case, and Aldo has his hand raised against Font and Dillashaw, perhaps there’s another title fight in the legend yet.

    Do you believe José Aldo has what it takes to become a UFC champion again?

  • Rob Font Doesn’t Believe Aldo Win Will Get Him A Title Shot

    UFC bantamweight contender Rob Font believes he’ll need a couple more victories before he earns a shot at 135-pound gold.

    Since an inconsistent start in the promotion saw him go 5-3, which included losses to John Lineker, Pedro Munhoz, and Raphael Assunção, Font has been in fine form. After decision wins against Sergio Pettis and Ricky Simón put him back on track, the 34-year-old shot into contention with a TKO victory over former title challenger Marlon Moraes.

    Font jumped even closer to the bantamweight title this year with a headlining five-round triumph versus former champ Cody Garbrandt. Having leaped into the top five, the Massachusetts native is set for his second main event of 2021 this weekend at UFC Vegas 44. He’ll face former featherweight kingpin José Aldo.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CUdjK7DpasY/

    In a recent interview with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Font said that while his December 4 clash isn’t an interim title opportunity, which he was forced to turn down in October, Aldo is still a huge name that he hopes to use to cement himself further into contention.

    “We had to turn it (UFC 267 interim title fight) down, but at the same time it was like, ‘This doesn’t work, but we might have something for you in a couple of weeks after that.’ I kind of had an idea it would be Aldo. So I was like, ‘Yeah, alright, that works, perfect.’ It’s not, obviously, an interim belt, but it’s just as big a name, just as big of a challenge, and it puts me right back into title contention. This’ll be my fifth win (in a row). You can’t deny I’m there (in contention).”

    With a win, Font will add yet another former UFC titleholder to his résumé and extend his winning streak to five. Despite that, the #4-ranked contender doesn’t see himself getting a title shot with a victory over “Junior.”

    “It’s weird, it’s tough, because the division’s all jacked up. You’ve got Sterling still out, I’m pretty sure Cory is still in the mix, obviously, even though he lost two in a row, and then you’ve got TJ (Dillashaw) coming back. So it’s like, even after this win, I still think I have one more before I even get like, a real title shot.”

    Font Targets Dillashaw Or Loser Of Yan vs. Sterling 2 

    Having revealed his expectation that he’ll have to fight again before securing his first championship opportunity, Rob Font discussed the options he’ll have for 2022 if he emerges victorious on Saturday.

    As well as the possibility of facing Cory Sandhagen, who was granted the interim title shot at UFC 267 after Font’s inability to make the date, the 34-year-old mentioned TJ Dillashaw or the loser of the inevitable unification fight between UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan.

    “It’s frustrating (the current bantamweight situation). It’d be more frustrating not knowing when I’m gonna fight. But at least I have options. I feel like I have options, as far as maybe fighting the loser of Aljamain and Yan fight or, you know, maybe get in there with TJ… That’s all cool, but I’ve still gotta win these fights; I’ve gotta win the Aldo fight. I feel like we’re there. I’ve got this fight, then one more fight, obviously Cory Sandhagen’s still out there, too. I just gotta go out there, do my job, and see how this all shapes out.”

    Do you think Rob Font will move further into contention with a victory over José Aldo this weekend?

  • Rob Font: José Aldo Hasn’t Faced A Jab Like Mine

    UFC bantamweight contender Rob Font believes he’ll be bringing a weapon to José Aldo that the former featherweight champion has never faced before.

    The pair are set to collide in this weekend’s UFC Vegas 44 main event, which will be held in the familiar surroundings of the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. For Font, Saturday’s clash will represent his second headliner of the year.

    Since defeats to Pedro Munhoz and Raphael Assunção stalled his rise up the 135-pound ladder, Font has been unstoppable. In three straight wins, the 34-year-old defeated Sergio Pettis and Ricky Simón on the scorecards, and finished former title challenger Marlon Moraes.

    Those victories earned him a main event slot against Cody Garbrandt. Across five rounds at UFC Vegas 27 earlier this year, Font outstruck the former champ on his way to a comfortable unanimous decision.

    With his place in the top five and title contention cemented, Font will look to jump one step closer to the throne with a victory over Aldo this weekend.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CW5-zkpNek9/

    Font “Lives And Breathes” With His Jab

    Aldo is widely regarded as the greatest featherweight of all time. The two-time and inaugural 145-pound titleholder defended the gold a record seven times between 2011 and 2015. In that period, he fended off the challenges of Chad Mendes, Frankie Edgar, and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung.

    Given his upcoming foe’s success at featherweight, and reported weight struggles earlier in his career, Rob Font told MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck that he never thought a fight against Aldo was a possibility.

    “I’d have thought you were crazy man (if you pitched a fight with Aldo years ago), especially (because) he was having trouble making weight for a little bit at 45, you know. There was a couple times where there was rumors that he wasn’t gonna make the weight and all that. So, I definitely wouldn’t have believed he’d make his way down to 35. I don’t know what he did with a nutritionist, if he got a nutritionist or whatever, but he’s making weight… Now we get to jump in there and mix it up, and become a legend.”

    Despite his opponent’s immense experience, which has seen him rack up 37 professional fights across over 17 years in the sport, Font expects to have something new for Aldo. The Massachusetts native doubts that “Junior” has ever faced a jab quite like his.

    “It’s crazy because he’s fought everybody you could think of, from Max Holloway to Volkanovski to Faber, back in the day with WEC. He’s seen it, done it, so there’s nothing that I can throw at him that he hasn’t seen, except for how consistent I am with my jab and how much I believe in it; how dedicated I am to it. I do believe that I’m really consistent and accurate with it, and I don’t think he’s ever fought anyone that lives and breathes with their jab.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWlmBcRNwRo/

    As well as the blockbuster main event between Font and Aldo, a number of other matchups are set to thrill fans on Saturday night. In the co-main event, lightweight friends Brad Riddell and Rafael Fiziev will throw down in a fight many believe will earn the Fight of the Night honor.

    Elsewhere, the likes of Jimmy Crute, Jamahal Hill, Alonzo Menifield, Mickey Gall, Louis Smolka, Clay Guida, and Brendan Allen will all be in action. It stands to reason they’ll set the table nicely for the night’s bantamweight main course.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised in the UFC Vegas 44 main event, Rob Font or José Aldo?

  • Sandhagen: Font Beats Aldo 9 Times Out Of 10 In A 5-Rounder

    UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen has given his prediction for the upcoming 135-pound main event between Rob Font and José Aldo.

    The pair are set to headline next weekend’s UFC Vegas 44 event inside the UFC Apex facility. Font, who has surged up the rankings after an inconsistent start to his career in the promotion, will enter the clash riding a four-fight winning streak. Since losses to Pedro Munhoz and Raphael Assunção, the 34-year-old has outpointed Sergio Pettis, Ricky Simón, and Cody Garbrandt, and finished Marlon Moraes.

    After a dominant main event victory over “No Love” earlier this year, Font will be preparing for his second consecutive main event. His opponent will also be carrying some form into the December 4 card.

    After three consecutive defeats, including an 0-2 start at bantamweight, Aldo rebounded with controlling decisions over Munhoz and Marlon Vera. He’ll look to continue his road back to UFC gold with a victory over #4-ranked Font.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CUdjK7DpasY/

    Sandhagen Confidently Backs Font

    Sandhagen, a former interim title challenger and undoubtedly one of the top contenders in the bantamweight division, has given his take on next weekend’s main event. Speaking to MMA journalist James Lynch, “The Sandman,” who is yet to meet either man inside the Octagon, suggested there’s little chance of the former featherweight champion getting the job done on December 4.

    “Yeah, that’s a good one. I think Font will win. Is that one a five-rounder? I definitely think Font would win that 9 times out of 10 in a five-rounder. (I’ve) definitely got Font.”

    Given the fact Sandhagen, who sits at #3 on the bantamweight ladder, recently fell short of an interim title crowning against Petr Yan at UFC 267, and has already fought and lost to #2-ranked contender TJ Dillashaw, it seems inevitable the 29-year-old will be matched up with the Font vs. Aldo victor in 2022.

    Do you agree with Cory Sandhagen? Will Rob Font defeat José Aldo at UFC Vegas 44?

  • Aldo Targets Dillashaw Clash On Sterling/Yan 2 Undercard In 2022

    With a victory over Rob Font at UFC Vegas 44 this weekend, José Aldo will be targeting a title eliminator against TJ Dillashaw in 2022.

    After falling short of the vacant bantamweight gold against Petr Yan last July, not many would have expected Aldo to mount another title run. At the time, the Brazilian was 3-5 since his first UFC defeat versus Conor McGregor, with setbacks against Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski, and a controversial decision loss to Marlon Moraes in his 135-pound debut.

    But since a brutal TKO at UFC 251, Aldo has won back-to-back contests and established himself back into title contention. A unanimous decision triumph over Marlon Vera last December put him in the bantamweight win column for the first time, before a similar result against perennial contender Pedro Munhoz in August this year cemented his place in the top five.

    “Junior” will look to climb closer to the top step when he collides with Font in this Saturday’s main event.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWlmBcRNwRo/

    Aldo Aims To Use Font & Dillashaw To Get Back To The Title

    Despite certainly having his hands full with Font, who’s regarded as one of the top strikers in the division and has won his last four Octagon outings, Aldo still has one eye on the future. And should he emerge victorious inside the Apex, the veteran has his sights set on one top contender.

    During an appearance on MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, the former UFC Featherweight Champion acknowledged that a clash with TJ Dillashaw could happen in 2022 if he can extend his winning streak to three on December 4. In a perfect world, Aldo says it would go down on the same card as the unification bout between Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan.

    “It might happen. The fact Sterling is injured and we don’t know when he’s coming back, that (Dillashaw fight) could indeed happen in the future. Dillashaw and I, I don’t know if right now or in the near future, we want this fight. It’s a great fight for both of us, the UFC and the fans, so we’d all agree. I don’t know if it could be on the same card (as Sterling vs. Yan 2). If it is, I’ll be ready. My history is rich, so is his, and we need to make this fight.” (h/t MMA Mania)

    Nevertheless, Aldo knows he can’t take Font lightly. This weekend will mark the 34-year-old’s second UFC main event of the year. In the UFC Vegas 27 headliner, Font outpointed former champ Cody Garbrandt across five rounds.

    Prior to that, the Massachusetts native recorded victories over Sergio Pettis, Ricky Simon, and “Magic” Moraes. He’ll be looking to spoil Aldo’s plans and book a title eliminator for himself on Saturday.

    Would you like to see the winner of José Aldo vs. Rob Font face TJ Dillashaw next year?