Following recent difficulties making the bantamweight limit ahead of his planned fight against Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315, former champion Jose Aldo has announced a significant adjustment to his fighting career plans. The upcoming bout itself was ultimately changed to a featherweight contest due to Aldo`s struggles with the 135-pound cut, a division he has competed in since late 2019 after a long and storied reign as the UFC featherweight king.
Aldo, who has stated he typically weighs around 160 pounds outside of training camp, confirmed that the challenges faced during the recent weight cut have prompted him to rethink his future in the sport. His initial motivation for dropping down to bantamweight was the ambition of becoming a rare two-division champion within the UFC. However, he now acknowledges that the featherweight division (145 pounds) is his more natural weight class and where he intends to compete for the remainder of his professional fighting career.
This decision aligns with calls from many fans and observers, particularly after witnessing the difficulties he encountered on the scales leading up to UFC 315. The veteran fighter, widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweights in mixed martial arts history, despite experiencing setbacks at bantamweight (including some close, debated decisions), seems ready to conclude his impressive career in the division where he built his legacy.
The move back to featherweight also creates exciting possibilities for new matchups. Notably, fellow Brazilian fighter Patricio Pitbull, a prominent name in the sport, has already publicly welcomed Aldo back to the 145-pound division. A potential fight between these two decorated athletes has long been a dream matchup for fans and could become a reality in the near future, especially with the possibility of such a high-profile bout taking place in Brazil.
Jose Aldo`s upcoming fight against Aiemann Zahabi will mark his first official return to featherweight since confirming this career adjustment, signifying a clear pivot in his trajectory as he enters the final phase of his storied time in combat sports.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley