J. Aldo (photo) announces that he will retire in 2019. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
One of the most brilliant careers in world MMA is close to an end. Greatest featherweight champion in history (up to 65.7 kg.), José Aldo revealed that he should hang up his gloves in 2019. Scheduled to face his compatriot Renato Moicano at UFC Fortaleza, on February 2nd, he said he hopes to return to compete in UFC 237, in Curitiba, in May, and announce his retirement at the organization's last show in the country – scheduled for the second half of the year, but there is still no official date or location.
See too
The fighter participated in a meeting with the press, this Tuesday (16), and explained his plans to hold three fights in Brazil in 2019 and end his career in Brazil.
“I'm fighting now in Fortaleza and we're closing in on having the next fight on May 11, in Curitiba, and then finishing (my career) in the second half of the year with an event that will take place in Brazil,” said Aldo.
Despite ensuring that the focus is on the duel against Moicano, Aldo revealed that he already has an opponent planned for his next challenge. “The focus now is on my next fight, and after that I already have an opponent, I already have everything – not finalized, it depends on the result that will happen now. So let’s see what will happen,” he added.
Thinking about health
At 32 years old and with 31 fights in his career, Aldo revealed that he does not want to prolong his career like other Brazilian idols, who lost their performance when they reached 40 years old. The fighter's desire is to retire healthy to enjoy his family.
“I want to finish well (my career) and be in good health too. One thing I said in the last fight is that tomorrow I want to stop and not give my money to buy my health back. Today I'm giving my health to get the money. I want to be well, I want to enjoy my daughter's growth, with my wife, to be able to travel a little. (I don’t want) to fight until I’m 40 like I see our great idols doing that and having a bad performance (…). I don’t want to fight for money, I’ve planned my whole life to be financially well off for tomorrow, if I wanted to stop, I could do it without any problems.”
Retire with the belt?
José Aldo, who reigned at featherweight for six years, lost the title to the Hawaiian Max Holloway, in June 2017. The Brazilian was defeated again in the rematch, in December of the same year, he no longer considers the belt as a career objective. But, if he has the opportunity to compete, he hopes to take advantage.
“I’m not even thinking about fighting for the belt yet. My next challenge is Renato, I want to go there and beat him, and after that we'll see who they'll put in front of us. I’m not thinking about a title fight right now (…). I've already made it clear to Dedé (Pederneiras, coach and manager) and Dana (White, president of the UFC), everyone already knows what I want to do, and if the contract has this opening, then I can fight for the title in the future. But it doesn’t cross my mind to fight for the title now,” he concluded.
Comments