Jose Aldo (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

As Jose Aldo continues to prepare for a bout with fellow featherweight contender Renato “Moicano” next month, the legendary fighter’s reported this will be the final year of his MMA career.

Aldo has said for some time that he intends to complete his current UFC deal, and then walk away from pro-MMA. While speaking to the media recently in Brazil, the former champ said he hopes to fight out his contract in 2019 (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“Exactly,” said Aldo, who has two more bouts on his contract after he fights “Moicano”. “With the small black gloves, yes. This will be the last year.”

“I want to close out my career in Brazil,” Aldo said. “That’s what we planned with ‘Dede.’ I intend to fight in, May, too, and then close it out in the second semester, because I know there will be another event in Brazil. And (the UFC) already knows that.

“So there’s no reason to aim for a title fight. But you can be sure, I’ll be a problem for anyone who gets in front of me. Because I will win these three fights, you can be sure.”

Aldo will battle “Moicano” at the UFC’s February 2nd card in Fortaleza, Brazil. The 32-year-old star is coming off a stoppage win over Jeremy Stephens in July, while the 29-year-old “Moicano” submitted Cub Swanson in August.