Jose Aldo’s impact on the MMA world will be felt for ages.
Following the news that Aldo has retired from MMA competition after a legendary 18-year fighting career, the MMA community took to social media to pay respects to the Brazilian legend. Aldo, 36, is widely regarded as the best featherweight of all time, a pound-for-pound great, and a pioneer among the lighter weight classes.
He retires with a record of 31-8, which includes a 13-7 UFC mark and two reigns as the promotion’s featherweight champion. During his first reign at 145 pounds, Aldo successfully defended his title seven consecutive times, still a UFC record. Aldo, before becoming the UFC featherweight champion was also the WEC champion featherweight, which he defended twice.
Aldo has wins over bantamweight competitors Rob Font and Pedro Munhoz. He also won against Frankie Edgar and Urijah Fber.
See the reaction to Aldo’s retirement.
I always wonder what could’ve been. I spent a whole camp training to fight Jose Aldo in Brazil, but COVID changed everything. I was looking forward to the challenge & crazy atmosphere.
Happy retirement to one of the greatest featherweights in MMA history @josealdojunior pic.twitter.com/I4fHHLBMgc
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 18, 2022
@josealdojunior https://t.co/RznvKYKI37
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) September 18, 2022
What an amazing career @josealdojunior had, watching him smash people to bits in his swim shorts is one of the things that inspired me to get into mma, legend pic.twitter.com/u28keQUcIR
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) September 18, 2022
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) September 18, 2022
If @josealdojunior wants the last fight on his contract and wants to retire in Rio he has done more than enough for that company to deserve the opportunity
— CrisCyborg.com Boxing Sept 25th (@criscyborg) September 18, 2022
Obrigado & Parabens to the legend, the kindest, THE King of Rio @josealdojunior https://t.co/DcPlSLKTsx
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) September 18, 2022
If it is true, he has retired. @josealdojunior you’re one of my favorite fighters and an absolute legend. Enjoy retirement, thank you for all the memorable moments
— Adrian Yanez (@yanezmma) September 18, 2022
Happy retirement to Jose Aldo one my favorite fighters growing up
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) September 18, 2022
Don’t know if this is it, but If so was a pleasure meeting and training with @josealdojunior 2015 on tuf – absolute legend @fightpicsgohard pic.twitter.com/6iDrsTOTP3
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) September 18, 2022
I’m so glad I got to see one of his fights and walkouts live. One of the GOATS of MMA. What a career. https://t.co/1kiQVdduEw
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) September 18, 2022
One of the greatest. Put the featherweight division on the map https://t.co/VDOak2nX9s
— Mads Burnell (@Burnellmma) September 18, 2022
BREAKING NEWS: Mcgregor vs Aldo Bare knuckle boxing
— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) September 18, 2022
23-year-old Jose Aldo. A deadly combo of speed and skills far ahead of his time. He is the featherweight GOAT, and one of the most outstanding fighters MMA ever saw. NINE title defenses, not seven. You can mark that in your HOF induction. @josealdojunior pic.twitter.com/Jsv9U9w5oj
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 18, 2022
The featherweight GOAT. He is one of the most respected fighters in history. Champion of the world for 2,215 consecutive days in his prime. One of the last men standing from an era of poster curses and Powerman 5000. The word “legend” does not do enough to describe the career of Jose Aldo. https://t.co/qBUN8dzW40
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) September 18, 2022
Jose Aldo is your favorite fighters favorite fighter. He will forever be the greatest featherweight ever and should be on your shortlist for the greatest MMA fighters of all-time
WEC never die.
— Jose Youngs (@JoseYoungs) September 18, 2022
legend @josealdojunior pic.twitter.com/EIPniuKf92
— Carlos mota tizil (@mota_tizil) September 18, 2022
What a , enjoy retirement @josealdojunior thanks for all the memories before & while I grew up in the sport https://t.co/aDbjB07ulz
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) September 18, 2022
Se retira Jose Aldo, uno de los mejores dentro del Octagono, y de los mas queridos por todos afuera.
GRACIAS POR TANTOS MOMENTOS INOLVIDABLES GUERRERO! pic.twitter.com/ePgQCWaCpI— Gaston “Tonga” Reyno (@gastonreyno) September 18, 2022
Aldo was someone who I could just watch film on over and over and always learn something new. He ruled over the featherweight division. Even when he began to decline, he continued to be competitive at the top of the bantamweight division for years. Thank you @josealdojunior https://t.co/hHyTS9oTAb
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) September 18, 2022
Damm the king is gone #longlivetheking #aldoneverdies #ufc https://t.co/3Xzw9BDRIX
— John De Jesus (@JohnDeJesusMMA) September 18, 2022
