UFC Removes Hall-Of-Famer From Roster, Fans React To Update

UFC 309: Jones v Miocic - Press Conference — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 14: UFC President Dana White speaks during the UFC 309 press … More conference at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

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It’s official—no, really official.

Jose Aldo is no longer a part of the UFC’s active roster. While Aldo made it clear after his recent loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 that he was done competing in the Octagon and in mixed martial arts, it’s now been confirmed.

However, it hit different on Monday morning when this post dropped from UFC Roster Watch.

By the afternoon, the post was liked almost 12,000 times. It had nearly a million impressions and one of the first comments came from social media celebrity, Andrew Tate.

Others used memes of a despondent Aldo sitting in the Octagon following the controversial unanimous decision that saw him lose to Zahabi after the Brazilian legend missed weight.

Almost every comment was one of praise for one of the greatest featherweight champions and fighters—regardless of weight class—in mixed martial arts history. Normally when a fighter of Aldo’s ilk walks away, you hear comments on their career and situation from Dana White.

That hasn’t happened as of yet, but it would be interesting to hear what White has to say about one of the biggest stars in the promotion’s history.

Barring a highly unlikely return to the Octagon, Aldo, 38, walks away with a 32-10 record. He lost his last two fights to Zahabi and Mario Bautista, but I scored both of those fights for Aldo. He just didn’t get the nod from the official judges.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MAY 04: Jose Aldo of Brazil poses for a portrait after his victory during … More the UFC 301 event at Farmasi Arena on May 04, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

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According to Tapology, Aldo is listed as the No. 7 MMA Striker of All-Time, the No. 3 Fan-Favorite fighter and the eighth greatest MMA Fighter of All Time.

Aldo was a perfect 8-0 with WEC and their reigning featherweight champion before the promotion was absorbed by the UFC. Aldo had seven finishes in those bouts, including memorable wins over Cub Swanson, Mike Brown, Urijah Faber, and Manny Gamburyan in a relentless 15-month run from June 2009 to September 2010.

Aldo made his UFC debut in April 2011 when he scored a unanimous decision win over Mark Hominick in a fight that earned him a Fight of the Night bonus. Aldo would begin his UFC career with a spectacular seven-fight win streak, with victories over Kenny Florian, Chad Mendes (twice), Frankie Edgar, Chan Sung Jung, and Ricardo Lamas.

Junior’s reign came to a crashing halt when he was knocked out by Conor McGregor in 13 seconds at UFC 194 in December 2015. For the remainder of his career, Aldo went 7-8.

Aldo was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023 during his first retirement. However, after competing in three boxing matches in 2023, he returned to the UFC with an impressive unanimous decision win over Jonathan Martinez in May 2024 in his native Brazil.

The victory positioned Aldo as a potential dark horse challenger for the UFC bantamweight title. Alas, his momentum was stopped with the losses to Bautista and Zahabi. Combined with the brutal weight cut ahead of the fight with Zahabi, Aldo chose to call it a career.

What’s Next For the UFC?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 11: Jamahal Hill is seen on stage during the UFC 300 press conference at … More MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

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The UFC will be in Baku this weekend for a Fight Night event that figures to have a spirited crowd considering its a first for the region.

Here’s a look at the lineup of fights.