UFC 301 is just around the corner and seems like UFC’s homecoming to Brazil will have some interesting fights including a fight scheduled for one of the greatest featherweights of all time, Jose Aldo. The former featherweight champion is all set to make a comeback to the realm of MMA after his loss to Merab Merab Dvalishvili back in 2022. Aldo would be facing young talent Jonathan Martinez for his comeback fight.

Jose Aldo’s MMA career has been one of the best in the UFC. The Brazilian was undefeated for a prolonged ten years till Conor McGregor defeated him to become the featherweight champion back in UFC 194. But he quickly reclaimed it soon after defeating Frankie Edgar in UFC 200. Aldo’s dominance inside and outside the octagon is all thanks to his team. Ahead of his anticipated comeback, let’s have a look at his teammates, gym, preparation, and more.

Jose Aldo’s gym, coach, and teammates

There was a time in the UFC when people were afraid to enter into the Octagon with Jose Aldo. The former featherweight champion was like the boogeyman of the division till UFC 194. Most of the victories in his career have been achieved by way of knockout and it’s all thanks to his gym, teammates, and coaches. The Brazilian sensation has remained loyal to a single gym throughout his life, and he has been a part of it for a very long time now.

Jose Aldo trains at the Rio de Janeiro MMA gym, Nova União headed by Andre Pederneiras. Pederneiras made a name for himself after his gym delivered legends such as Jose Aldo to the world of MMA. There’s limited information about Aldo’s teammate on the go but it is stated that he trains with his friends Luis Ramos and Diego Nunes at the Gym.

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The Brazilian had quite a sensational career in the world of MMA and it is just plausible that one would think about retiring at this stage. Interestingly, Aldo’s coach wanted him to retire but changed his mind after witnessing the resolve of ‘Junior.’

Aldo’s coach wanted him to retire?

After his decision loss to Merab Dvalishvil, there was a tincture of doubt regarding Aldo’s return to the Octagon. Rumors floated around that ‘Junior would be saying a final goodbye to the sport once and for all. Speculations arose out of the notion that Aldo had achieved everything in his career and it would be better for the former featherweight champion to drop his gloves forever.

Even Andre Pederneiras, Aldo’s coach stated that he should take a rest after competing for so many years. At that time, Pederneiras believed that it would be better for ‘Junior’ to stay away from the octagon, however, he stated that his resolve might play a good role in his comeback. “I think it’s going to depend on lots of factors,” said Pederneiras in an interview.

He further added, “I would tell him to quit. I think Aldo has already conquered so much. It’s not going to be that last fight that is going to take away the legacy he has built in the sport. My biggest fear is when an athlete arrives at this final stage of their career and an injury might mess them up for the rest of their life.”  Pederneiras further added that he believes that Aldo has what it takes to be the bantamweight champion but he wants him to retire to keep his legacy intact.

Regardless, it must be noted that this is not the first time Jose Aldo has been advised to retire. Back in 2021, when he was riding a three-fight losing streak, Aldo considered retirement but was stopped when he trained with the Brazilian Navy.

Aldo’s gruesome training with the Navy changed his outlook on retirement

Back when Aldo was transitioning from featherweight to bantamweight, he suffered back-to-back losses at the hands of Alexander Volkanovski, Marlon Moraes, and Petr Yan. This shook the determination of the legend to step back inside the Octagon ever again.  Aldo was of the opinion that his career has hit rock bottom and it’s better for him to say goodbye to the UFC once and for all.

However, fate had different plans for the legend, after the losing skid, Aldo got himself together and barged into the UFC octagon with a three-fight winning streak. This was his comeback after losing, but how did he do it? Well, according to him, the Brazilian Navy helped him in his journey. While in conversation with the Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, Jose Aldo thanked the Navy men for helping him.

“I was already thinking about retiring really, I had that in mind. But after the Petr [Yan] fight, the pandemic and et cetera … those [Brazilian Navy] kids lit a fire inside me, brother. I have so much will to fight these days. I’ve been with the Navy for almost two years now, since the [start of the COVID-19] pandemic. Man, I’m feeling like a boy again, learning every day, changing my fighting style. That renewed me to fight again, lit the fire I needed,”  said Aldo.

Jose Aldo pulled himself from the clutches of retirement proving yet again why he is famously dubbed the G.O.A.T by his fans. Nonetheless, Aldo is yet again going to face another challenge in his career. Do you expect him to clinch the victory? State your thoughts in the comments below.