The event was essentially built around Oliveira, but the night also featured an incredible moment where Aldo returned home to Rio de Janeiro and left his gloves in the Octagon one final time to solidify his retirement following a loss at UFC 315. <\/p>\n
Aldo initially retired from MMA following a loss to current UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili in 2022, but after trying his hand at professional boxing the 39-year-old decided to return to the Octagon last year.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Massive UFC 322 fight could decide who faces Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev winner<\/a><\/p>\n A win over Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 showed that Aldo could still compete at an elite level, but that result was followed by losses to Mario Bautista and Aiemann Zahabi. \u201cThe King of Rio\u201d retired for a second time<\/a> after dropping a decision to Zahabi at UFC 315, and after his in-Octagon appearance at UFC Rio the UFC legend took to social media <\/a>to reflect on the moment and thank everyone that played a part in his career.<\/p>\n Very happy! My last time stepping into the octagon and being able to say goodbye in Rio de Janeiro. Just gratitude to the UFC, my fans, friends, and everyone who\u2019s always been part of this journey. pic.twitter.com\/ZUrQg1Vv6A<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) October 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cVery happy! My last time stepping into the octagon and being able to say goodbye in Rio de Janeiro. Just gratitude to the UFC, my fans, friends, and everyone who\u2019s always been part of this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Considered by many to be the greatest featherweight in the history of MMA and the UFC, Aldo immediately became the promotion\u2019s 145 lbs. champion when the UFC absorbed WEC\u2019s roster of fighters in 2011. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC champion seeks historic win as Dana White announces two title fights for UFC 323<\/a><\/p>\n Aldo had already defended his WEC belt twice and went on to defend the UFC title seven times before his infamous 14-second loss to Conor McGregor. He claimed UFC gold once again when he won the interim featherweight belt in a rematch with Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 but fell to Max Holloway<\/a> in his next two outings, and a three-fight skid encouraged the UFC Hall of Famer to drop down to the bantamweight division in 2020.<\/p>\n Jose Aldo (red gloves) prepares to fight Aiemann Zahabi (not pictured) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. \/ Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The 39-year-old won three-straight fights at bantamweight before running into Dvalishvili. While his initial retirement didn\u2019t last very long, it looks likely that Aldo\u2019s second retirement will actually stick following the incredible sendoff he got last weekend at UFC Rio<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2022 Ex-UFC star Dustin Poirier shares heartbreaking admission about MMA retirement<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Charles Oliveira targets huge UFC rematch in plea to UFC brass to ‘make that happen’<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Merab Dvalishvili drops warning to ex-UFC flyweight champ for UFC title fight<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Alex Pereira provides grim injury update, eyes UFC White House superfight for return<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with MMAKnockout<\/a> for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n