{"id":908045,"date":"2026-09-24T16:20:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T16:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/908045\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T16:20:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T16:20:16","slug":"ufc-hall-of-famer-teases-boxing-return-next-year-after-second-mma-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/908045\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Hall of Famer Teases Boxing Return Next Year After Second MMA Retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"

UFC legend Jos\u00e9 Aldo has opened the door to a potential return to fighting at some point next
year. <\/p>\n

Considered by many to the greatest featherweight fighter in the history of MMA, Aldo retired
from the sport for a second time last year<\/a> following a unanimous decision loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315. <\/p>\n

The 40-year-old hasn\u2019t competed in any sort of organized combat sport since then, but he is scheduled to meet former opponent and current UFC bantamweight contender Marlon \u201cChito\u201d Vera<\/a> in a headlining grappling match for Hype FC on October 4. <\/p>\n

UFC Hall of Famer Jos\u00e9 Aldo Open to Boxing Return in 2027<\/p>\n

While meeting Vera in a grappling match is a relatively low-risk way for Aldo to keep active, long time fans know that it\u2019s the Brazilian\u2019s striking ability that helped him become such a successful and feared force in MMA.<\/p>\n

\u201cJunior\u201d\u00a0initially retired from the UFC in 2022 before making the jump to boxing the following year, and this week Aldo told Guilherme Cruz<\/a> that he could return to the boxing ring in 2027 for the right price.<\/p>\n

\"Jose<\/p>\n

Jose Aldo (red gloves) fights Aiemann Zahabi (blue gloves) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cBoxing is much more possible for us do to, because I know I\u2019m going to make a lot more money,\u201d Aldo explained. \u201cThat\u2019s what matters. If an opportunity comes up, like it did, whenever one comes up I say \u2018For me to fight, it\u2019s this much. If you don\u2019t want it, I don\u2019t care.\u2019\u2026You can leave me here, because I\u2019m happy taking care of my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jose<\/p>\n

Jose Aldo (red gloves) prepares to fight Aiemann Zahabi (not pictured) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

More than a year after Merab Dvalishvili ended his three-fight bantamweight win streak at UFC 278 and encouraged the Brazilian to announce his first MMA retirement, Aldo made his boxing debut for Shooto Brazil in early 2023 and took a unanimous decision over Emmanuel Zambrano. <\/p>\n

“Junior” Reveals He’s Still Under Contract With the UFC<\/p>\n

The former UFC champion moved on to Gamebred Boxing less than two months later and fought to a draw with fellow UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens, and a return to Shooto in July of that year saw him also best Esteban Espindola on the scorecards. <\/p>\n

It appears that Aldo would prefer to stay in his home country if he were to accept another boxing match, as he went on to cite Brazil-based combat sports promotion Spaten Fight Night as a potential landing spot.<\/p>\n

\"Jose<\/p>\n

Jose Aldo (red gloves) reacts after a fight with Aiemann Zahabi (not pictured) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cThank God, athletes are well compensated at Spaten, so that\u2019s very good. It\u2019s no coincidence that any athlete who comes in, for the amount they offer you, they fight. Unlike any other event that comes up and says \u2018You\u2019re going to fight an influencer\u2019, or something like that. Please, come on. Spaten is totally different, so I talked to them a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Spaten<\/p>\n

Spaten Fight Night 1 was headlined by a boxing match between former UFC rivals Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen. | Spaten Fight Night<\/p>\n

Several former UFC stars like Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva have already competed in boxing with Spaten Fight Night<\/a>, but Aldo also noted that a return to boxing would require him to ask the UFC first given that he\u2019s still under contract with the promotion after retiring again last year.<\/p>\n

\"UFC<\/p>\n

UFC president Dana White in attendance during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing is, I have to ask the UFC for permission, because I have three fights left [on my contract] and I don\u2019t know when those three fights are going to expire.\u201d<\/p>\n

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