Retired MMA legend Jose Aldo stuck in contract limbo: "I haven't left the UFC"

UFC legend Jose Aldo will not be returning to active MMA competition, however he is open to giving boxing a shot.

Former UFC featherweight champion Aldo recently announced his retirement after an illustrious MMA career. During his prime, “The King of Rio” was one of the promotion’s most dominant champions. Before losing his title to Conor McGregor in a historic upset, Aldo racked up seven straight title defences against fighters such as Frankie Edgar and Chan Sung Jung, a yet unbeaten record number of defences in the division. Up until his last bout Aldo looked fast and sharp despite his almost two decades in the sport.

The legendary fighter revealed in a recent interview that he still has one fight left on his contract with the UFC, meaning any MMA fights outside of the promotion are off the table. However boxing could be a possibility.

“I’m trying to see the best path I’ll take right now,” Aldo said in a recent interview with Globo Esporte. “I won’t fight MMA, that’s for sure. I thank everybody calling me from other promotions, but I haven’t left the UFC, I remain under contract with them. I’ll see where I’ll fit.”

“Boxing is a possibility. It was always a dream I had in my life; I never hid that from anyone. It was always a dream. But let’s see. Everybody says I’m still young, that I have a few years (left). First, for now, with the birth of my son, I want to enjoy my family, and then I’ll think of the professional side.”

Regrettably, Aldo’s career didn’t end with a bang, but rather with a whimper. The 36-year-old lost his final fight at UFC 278 in a relatively uneventful affair against top-ranked bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. The loss put a stop to an impressive three-fight win streak against Rob Font, Marlon Vera, and Pedro Munhoz.

Like many of his fellow MMA retirees, Aldo seems interested in replacing the octagon for the squared circle, but whether fans will get to see the former UFC and WEC champion compete again remains to be seen. Lately, Aldo has been working on his boxing with the Brazilian Navy, something he believes was a key to the success he had after stepping down to the bantamweight division.