Jose Aldo – The Beautiful Game

At just 23, WEC champ José Aldo stands poised to reign atop MMA’s featherweight division (not to mention every pound-for-list on the planet) for years to come. But fighting wasn’t the 2009 FIGHT! Magazine Fighter of the Year’s first love. Once upon a time, the dirt-poor kid from Manaus, Brazil, had dreams of becoming the next Diego Maradona. This may have caused some problems with his fellow Brazilians, but it didn’t take long for the pint-size kid to get them to stop yapping. And then, one day, his coach made a suggestion that would change his life forever. Produced and directed by Matthew Ross. Camera: Rick Lee, Michael Mardonez, Randy Ward. Edit: Ashley Cahill and Ryan Jackson-Healy.