Former UFC champion Jose Aldo is, without a doubt, one of the legends of the sport. However, there was one fight that forced him to call it quits on his illustrious career. It was his fight against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 that turned out to be the Brazilian’s turning point in his career. From the outset, it was clear this would be a battle of contrasting styles—Aldo’s sharp striking and takedown defense versus Dvalishvili’s pressure-heavy wrestling. While Aldo showed flashes of brilliance with his signature leg kicks and crisp combinations, Dvalishvili’s unyielding pace and clinch control began to wear the former featherweight king down

The Brazilian still holds the featherweight record for most consecutive title defenses (7) and boasts an iconic résumé featuring victories over some elite fighters in the division. But Merab Dvalishvili proved to much to handle for ‘Scarface’ on that night.  For Aldo, it was a frustrating setback, one that hinted at the narrowing window of his title aspirations.

At that point, it was the biggest win of Dvalishvili’s career—a performance that proved he belongs among the top contenders at 135 pounds. Although Aldo went on to lose his fight, he still managed to showcase his class. ESPN MMA took to their Instagram account to share the achievement with the fans.

The caption of the post read as, “At 35 years old, Jose Aldo stopped all of Merab Dvalishvili’s 16 takedown attempts when they fought in 2022. Despite the loss, Aldo held his own against the current bantamweight champion 👏 #UFC315″ . We all know how elite Dvalishvili is on the ground, and his skills are second to none. For Aldo to pull off something like this at an age where most fighters announce their retirement shows the caliber of the Brazilian. While most of the comments section was full of praise for ‘Scarface’, there was one individual who wasn’t quite impressed.

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling took to the comments section to remind what exactly happened. ‘Funk Master’ said, “He did stop almost all of them, but Merab scored one TD at the end when the hands touched the canvas. Just like they say, Colby never took Usman down. It counts, and yet another thing we have no clarity on. What are the judges n stat people scoring for different things”.

The former champion has a lot to prove when he enters the Octagon at UFC 315. At 38 years old, he is way past his prime and coming off a loss. While a lot is known about Aldo, his opponent is fairly new but is fairly dangerous. But who exactly is Aiemann Zahabi? Let us find out about it below.

Does Aiemann Zahabi have what it takes to beat Jose Aldo? 

For those unfamiliar, Aiemann Zahabi is the younger brother of famed Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi. At 37, he’s just a year younger than José Aldo, but the gap in accomplishments between the two is significant. Zahabi holds a solid 12-2 record, but with only eight UFC appearances under his belt. On the other hand, the Brazilian legend owns a 32-9 record and has competed 22 times in the UFC alone. When they meet at UFC 315, it will be a classic case of veteran greatness clashing with a far less tested challenger.

At 38, José Aldo remains a dangerous contender in the bantamweight ranks, currently sitting at No. 11. On paper, his UFC 315 showdown with Aiemann Zahabi makes sense. Zahabi is ranked just two spots below at No. 13. But when it comes to star power and legacy, the two are worlds apart. For Zahabi, this fight is a massive opportunity—a chance to not only climb the rankings but also make a statement by defeating a legend.

A win would elevate his profile and put future contenders on notice. As for Aldo, this bout carries weight beyond just numbers. It’s a chance to prove he’s still elite, still dangerous, and still very much in the mix.

It will now be interesting to see who comes out on top between the two at UFC 315. Will Jose Aldo get back to winning ways? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.