“Now it’s time to live and enjoy alongside my family… Thank you to everyone who walked with me.” With these heartfelt words, ex-UFC star Jose Aldo took to Instagram earlier this month to confirm what many had speculated: his retirement from MMA is final. Expressing gratitude to his supporters, ‘Junior’ made it clear he has no plans to return to the Octagon.

While his history has occasionally hinted at a comeback, Jose Aldo left no room for doubt this time. “Win or lose, the decision was made… I’m not fighting again. I have other things going on for me,” he explained. The Brazilian leaves the sport as a true legend, concluding a remarkable career with 42 professional bouts. He faced Aiemann Zahabi in his final appearance at UFC 315. The bout ended in defeat, signaling the close of an era. For ‘Junior’, the moment arrived when he realized it was time to retire the gloves for good.

Jose Aldo burst onto the scene, and his journey became legendary. He claimed the inaugural UFC Featherweight Championship and held the title longer than anyone else in the division, defending it multiple times with dominance and heart. Fans place his name among the greatest martial artists to ever enter the cage. The Brazilian’s journey in sports continues, even as his MMA chapter closes.

Now back in Brazil, the former UFC star is embracing a slower pace of life, trading the cage for the sand. Recently, he shared on his Instagram story that he took part in a footvolley (futevôlei) tournament, a popular Brazilian sport that blends football and volleyball. The celebrity event saw Jose Aldo team up with Leandro Sapucahy and Leo Tubarão. Together, they advanced to the finals, but a team led by former professional footballer Felipe Jorge Loureiro ultimately defeated them.

At 38, Aldo’s fighting prime may be behind him. Once an unstoppable force in MMA, his momentum shifted after Conor McGregor famously snapped his 15-fight win streak. Since then, the fire hasn’t burned quite the same. Now, in retirement, Jose Aldo appears to be following a path similar to his former rival, turning his focus toward life outside the cage.

Among his latest ventures is a booming burger franchise in Brazil, where Aldo is building a business empire one bite at a time. Whether the former featherweight king will ever return to combat sports remains a mystery. If it’s no longer about the paycheck, then what truly fuels Jose Aldo now?

Jose Aldo’s wife reveals unknown struggles behind his success

José Aldo announced his retirement in 2022 and plans to move into boxing. Two years later, he surprised everyone by returning to the UFC, fighting in three more bouts in the Octagon. This month, Montreal, Canada, hosted the final chapter. ‘Junior’ has struggled in his last four fights, securing only one win and ending with a 1-3 record. He faced Aiemann Zahabi in his final fight and gave it his all in the cage. The judges’ scorecards revealed a decision against the Brazilian legend, igniting widespread criticism. Fans and analysts claimed Aldo had been “robbed.”

Jose Aldo quietly laid down his gloves after UFC 315, despite the controversial ending and without any formal tribute from the promotion. Just a week later, his longtime coach, André Pederneiras, held a heartfelt farewell in Rio de Janeiro. Aldo called the ceremony “quite emotional” as teammates, coaches, and family gathered to support him. They broadcast the tribute live on the big screen at Montreal’s Centre Bell.

Viviane Pereira, Junior’s wife of 20 years, shared a personal look at their journey during the tribute, highlighting the struggles behind his success.

“I remember he was battling high fever, but we had no money at home. We lived in the favela and he said, ‘I have to fight because I need that money.’ After that, he said, ‘I lost because I went after the money. From this day, I’ll never chase money.’ And that’s how it was done. From that day, we never fought for money, but money came for us.”

Will Jose Aldo return to the cage for his fans after achieving so much success and fame? Time will reveal all. This featherweight legend shows he still has a lot to offer, even in friendly sports. Keep coming for updates.