UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo ends retirement, meets Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 in Brazil
“The King of Rio” will return in his home town at UFC 301 in May.
UFC Hall of Famer and former featherweight champion Jose Aldo is ending his MMA retirement and returning to competition against Jonathan Martinez on the May 4 card, which takes place at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro (pay-per-view, ESPN+).
Aldo (31-8 MMA, 13-7 UFC) and Martinez (19-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) both confirmed the matchup on social media following an initial report from AgFight.
Aldo announced his retirement from MMA following a unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 in August 2022. He’s since competed in three boxing matches, but will now get back in the octagon for another fight on Brazilian soil at age 37.
He will face a tough task in the streaking Martinez, an honorable mention in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, who has five consecutive victories in the 135-pound weight class, including Adrian Yanez and Cub Swanson.
The latest UFC 301 lineup now includes:
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg – for flyweight title
Jose Aldo vs. Jonathan Martinez
Caio Borralho vs. Paul Craig
Joanderson Brito vs. Jack Shore
Kevin Borjas vs. Alessandro Costa
Drakkar Klose vs. Joaquim Silva
Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Vitor Petrino vs. Anthony Smith
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 301.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 19: (R-L) Jose Aldo of Brazil punches Marlon Vera of Ecuador…
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Aug 7, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) fights Pedro Munhoz (blue gloves) during…
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Aug 7, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) fights Pedro Munhoz (blue gloves) during…
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 04: (R-L) Jose Aldo of Brazil punches Rob Font in their…
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Aug 20, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) fights Merab Dvalishvili (blue…
Aug 20, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) fights Merab Dvalishvili (blue gloves) during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 278- Aldo vs Dvalishvili
Aug 20, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) fights Merab Dvalishvili (blue…
Aug 20, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) fights Merab Dvalishvili (blue gloves) during UFC 278 at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
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