Jose Aldo (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

As it turns out, 2022 will not mark the last time Jose Aldo steps into the UFC’s Octagon. But, the legendary fighter’s stopping short of committing to additional fights in 2024 and beyond.

Aldo announced he was stepping away from MMA competition back in August, 2022, following his decision loss to  Merab Dvalishvili. But, not long ago, Aldo turned heads throughout MMA by agreeing to fight Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 this Saturday.

A win over the rising Martinez would certainly signal that the 37-year-old Aldo is still capable of competing with world class competition. But, while speaking to the media ahead of UFC 301, the former featherweight champ said he’s taking a wait-and-see approach (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“When we started talking to Dana (White), they wanted to give me a new deal, but I really wanted to have this fight, which is what I’m focused on right now, to see where I’m at, and then we can take it from there,” Aldo said through a translator. “When I stopped fighting, when I retired, I had a lot of offers, a lot of money, but it’s never been about that. So that’s what we’re doing right now. We’re going to see where I’m at.”

Aldo (31-8), who competed in two pro-boxing bouts in 2023 and went 1-0-1, has gone 3-2 in his last 5 MMA fights. The Brazilian star’s fight on Saturday is reportedly the last on his current, UFC contract.

Martinez (19-4), meanwhile, is riding a six-fight, winning streak. In his last outing this past October, he recorded a TKO win over  Adrian Yanez via leg kicks.

UFC 301 is taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.