Issue 121

Even after facing some great lighter weight wrestlers Aldo has still defended 92% of takedowns in the UFC and WEC.

STATISTICS:

NAME: José Aldo.

WEIGHT: 145b/65kg/10.4st.

HEIGHT: Five-foot-seven.

REACH: 70in (178cm).

STANCE: Orthodox.

INJURIES:

Neck Injury:

Aldo made his Octagon debut with his first UFC title defense at UFC 125 against Josh Grispi. Head coach Andre Pederneiras called off the fight so Aldo could receive physiotherapy on a potentially career-threatening neck injury caused by a compression fracture that was also making his arms tingle. He eventually debuted against Mark Hominick at UFC 129 and successfully defended his belt, but the long layoff showed as he faded in the championship rounds.

Leg Injury:

After a dramatic last-second knee knocked out Chad Mendes in the first round at UFC 142 in January 2012, Aldo was quickly lined up to face Erik Koch at UFC 149. But the aftermath of the Mendes performance left the Brazilian nursing a damaged leg and he had to undergo a few weeks of physiotherapy to get back to full health.

Foot Injury:

With the Koch fight switched back, the challenger then picked up an injury and was replaced by Frankie Edgar. But then Aldo was the victim of a motorcycle accident, when a car collided with him and forced the rearranged fight to be postponed. His foot was too infected to compete and the title defense was moved.

Weight Cuts:

It is no secret that in Aldo's career he has had some hard weight cuts, one of which was documented before his UFC debut fight with Hominick.

Whilst he seems happy to fight at featherweight for the foreseeable future, a move up to lightweight remains inevitable.