Aldo: It’s coming to the end
Jose Aldo: “It’s a lot easier seeing the end of the tunnel and working harder because you know it’s coming to the end.”
Jose Aldo is one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. He’s just 31, but has been fighting professionally since 2004. He won 18 fights in a row, but is 1-3 his last four. At UFC on FOX 30 on Saturday he will fight Jeremy Stephens; it’s his first non-title fight since 2009. After Saturday Aldo will have three fights left on his UFC contract. During a recent online scrum, Aldo was asked if he will be re-signing.
No, I don’t think so, said Aldo to Guilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting. It doesn’t cross my mind to sign a new contract after.
It’s not that he wants to sign with a different organization, or try professional boxing.
I think it’s easier because you know it’s coming near the end, so you have to give your all because you don’t want to go out on a loss, you want to go out on top, said Aldo. It’s a lot easier seeing the end of the tunnel and working harder because you know it’s coming to the end.
When you’re starting there’s that euphoria, but I remain the same. I dream of being champion and dream of going out as champion. That’s my biggest motivation. … I take much pride in winning, I don’t accept losses, so I’m always going after that. The day I lose this fire, I think it’s time for us to stop.
Division champion Max Holloway was recently pulled from a fight with mysterious concussion-like symptoms. CTE is real, and Aldo doesn’t want it.
That’s why I think it’s the right moment to stop, said Aldo. The first goal is to recapture the belt and then think about it. Not only me, but every athlete fears that. Health comes first, and we have to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Aldo was asked if he’ll feel he’s fulfilled his mission in the sport, if he doesn’t regain the belt.
We’re training each time more because I want to conquer that, but I think that if we don’t get it, I think I do, replied Aldo after a pause.. I think I leave a good legacy for new athletes who are coming up. There are new people at featherweight, bantamweight, lightweight, any other weight class that is inspired by the legacy I’m leaving.