Issue 217
May 2025
Paul Brown revisits the career-defining wars that turned José Aldo from rising star to untouchable legend.
In mixed martial arts, words like legend and pound-for-pound tend to get overused, often applied to fighters who haven’t fully earned them. However, when discussing José Aldo, those terms finally find their rightful meaning. Aldo, who recently hung up the gloves following a loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315, walks away from the sport as one of its most dominant champions. From 2005 to 2015, the Brazilian phenom racked up 18 straight victories. That extraordinary run included nine consecutive title defenses across the WEC and UFC. Beyond his accomplishments on paper, Aldo played a pivotal role in advancing MMA, combining ruthless precision with defensive mastery few have ever matched.
“The cage has always been my place”, the former champion wrote in his retirement statement on social media. “The Struggle, My Life. Today, I end this cycle with my soul in peace. I'm not going back because I have already fulfilled my purpose - with blood, sweat, discipline, and honor. Been years of totally focused and dedicated to this. Now it's time to live and enjoy alongside my family, to help those who are starting, and to inspire beyond the octagon. Thanks to those who walked with me. Happy for all I've achieved!”
These are the pivotal bouts that shaped José Aldo’s title reign and cemented his legacy.
CUB SWANSON, WEC 41, JUNE 2009
This fight marked 22-year-old José Aldo’s first opportunity to earn a world title shot. Aldo entered the bout against the always-dangerous Cub Swanson on the back of a blistering start to his WEC career, having notched four knockout victories within a year of signing with the promotion. If anyone attending the Arco Arena in Sacramento hadn’t heard of José Aldo before that night, they certainly knew him afterward. Just eight seconds into the fight, Aldo landed a spectacular flying knee to Swanson’s chin, sending him crashing to the canvas and forcing referee Steve Mazzagatti to step in.
MIKE BROWN, WEC 44, NOVEMBER 2009
Up to this point, Aldo’s career had been defined by his aggressive style and devastating power on the feet. When faced with the challenge of Mike Brown, who came into the bout riding a 10-fight win streak, the Brazilian displayed a noticeably more patient approach. This fight also offered an early glimpse of the exceptional takedown defense that would become one of Aldo’s trademarks, as he shut down Brown’s attempts to bring the fight to the mat. Aldo’s commitment to attacking Brown’s body early on paid off in the second round. As a visibly fatigued Brown stumbled to the canvas, Aldo capitalized, securing top position and unleashing a relentless barrage of ground-and-pound to score the finish, earning his first world title victory.
URIJAH FABER, WEC 48, APRIL 2010
Urijah Faber was the first challenger to José Aldo’s newly won title. Faber had defended the belt five times before being dethroned by Brown two years earlier. The event occurred in Faber’s hometown of Sacramento. It was notable for being the only pay-per-view card in WEC history, featuring UFC regulars Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan on commentary. The fight played out on the feet, where Aldo proved far too elusive for Faber to handle. Using excellent distance management, slick head movement, and a brutal barrage of leg kicks, Aldo dismantled the former champ over five rounds. The relentless punishment to Faber’s lead leg left him nearly immobile, turning him into a stationary target for Aldo’s strikes. With the UFC’s acquisition of the WEC on the horizon, Joe Rogan remarked during the broadcast that Aldo might already be considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
MENDES 1, UFC 142, JANUARY 2012
Following the WEC’s merger with the UFC, Jose Aldo was named the inaugural UFC featherweight champion. He got off to a strong start, picking up wins over Mark Hominick and Kenny Florian in 2011. These victories prompted the UFC to return to Rio, where Aldo was booked to face undefeated Chad Mendes in the main event of UFC 142. Mendes, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, was widely considered the toughest stylistic matchup of Aldo’s career. When the fight began, Aldo managed the distance, frustrating Mendes’ repeated takedown attempts while landing his signature, punishing leg kicks. Late in the first round, Mendes finally pressed Aldo against the fence. But just as the horn was about to sound, Aldo broke free from the body lock, turned, and landed a perfectly timed knee to Mendes’s chin, knocking him unconscious. In an iconic moment, Aldo sprinted out of the Octagon and leapt into the sea of Brazilian fans. He was carried on their shoulders to the cage, where he was crowned the unofficial King of Rio.
FRANKIE EDGAR, UFC 156, FEBRUARY 2013
José Aldo faced the most decorated opponent of his career to date: former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. ‘The Answer’ was making his featherweight debut following a memorable run of title bouts at 155 pounds. Despite Edgar entering UFC 156 as one of the few fighters with a résumé that could rival Aldo’s, the bout turned out to be one-sided. Aldo controlled the action on the feet, systematically picking Edgar apart over five rounds to retain his featherweight title. It is remembered as one of the most impressive jabbing displays in UFC history, with Aldo consistently beating Edgar to the punch, frustrating the New Yorker on the way to a dominant unanimous decision.
MENDES 2, UFC 179, OCTOBER 2014
Chad Mendes rebounded with a five-fight win streak after his devastating loss to José Aldo at UFC 142. This earned him a second shot at the dominant champion nearly three years after their first encounter. Mendes’ vastly improved striking and footwork saw him go toe-to-toe with Aldo for 25 minutes in what is widely regarded as the greatest UFC featherweight title fight ever. The challenger’s constant stance-switching limited Aldo’s ability to unleash his signature chopping leg kicks, resulting in a captivating, boxing-heavy battle between the two. The bout showcased how much both fighters had evolved since their first meeting. Mendes pushed Aldo to the brink, but the champion matched him every step of the way, earning a unanimous decision victory and reaffirming his status as the undisputed king of the UFC featherweight division.
THE LASTING LEGACY OF JOSÉ ALDO
In an era teeming with elite talent, José Aldo stood apart as an unshakable presence atop a division he helped build. As the MMA world turns its eyes to the future, the shadow of Aldo’s reign still looms as a benchmark of excellence that future generations will forever strive to reach.
