Actor reveals sacrifice to play Aldo in the cinema: 'I reached 2% fat'

José Loreto in the role of J. Aldo. Photo: Disclosure

Actor José Loreto was chosen to give life to the role of José Aldo in the feature film 'Mais Forte que o Mundo', which is a success in cinemas around the country. However, it wasn't that easy. In addition to starting MMA training, Loreto had to adapt to an extreme diet, achieving an impressive figure of just 2% body fat during filming.

A Judo black belt, the actor detailed the sacrifice he made throughout the recordings, which lasted almost a year, to maintain his physique and increase his similarities with Aldo. According to Loreto, he had to lose five kilos during the process with a diet that prohibited him from even eating carbohydrates.

See too

José Aldo rules out retirement until rematch with McGregor

'It's impossible not to cry with my film', says Aldo

Director thinks about sequel to Aldo's film after rematch with McGregor

“The film really changed my life. I was on the diet for so long that my taste buds changed. I always say that I didn't eat for almost a year. I didn't eat bread, I didn't eat beans, I didn't eat anything. I followed a Paleolithic diet, without carbohydrates. I lost five kilos and weighed 78kg. In the film, I was in my 80s and had 2% body fat, something I had never reached before,” he reveals.

Loreto also revealed that he practically became an athlete. With four hours of training a day, the actor trained at Nova União, Dedé Pederneiras' and his own gym. José Aldo, to learn more about Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu – specialties of the former featherweight champion.

“I became a fighter, I wanted to understand. I trained four hours a day. In food and supplementation, I sought the healthiest, with the help of a professional. I wanted to go through this, not only the physical part, but also the psychological part, to feel the suffering that the athlete goes through. I've never had any problems with weight, and because I've also had type 1 diabetes for 16 years, my diet has always been healthy. But I took all the care from doctors and nutritionists because I wanted to get closer to 'Zé' Aldo's physique. I also wanted to go through those diets they do to lose kilos in a few days. Everything is very difficult, exhausting, but it is worth it”, he concluded.