José Aldo is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and boxer who competes in the UFC Bantamweight division. He was the final WEC Featherweight Champion and the first UFC Featherweight Champion. Widely considered one of the greatest MMA fighters ever, he is often called the greatest featherweight of all time, having defended his UFC title seven times and his WEC title twice.
José Aldo da Silva Oliveira Júnior was born in Manaus, Brazil in September 1986.
José Aldo was born in September 1986 and grew up in Manaus, Brazil. He was passionate about football. To defend himself in street fights, he started training capoeira.
José Aldo had his first professional MMA fight at the age of 17 on August 10, 2004, at EcoFight 1. He defeated Mário Bigola by knockout in the first round.
On May 12, 2005, at Rio MMA Challenge 1, José Aldo defeated Aritano Silva Barbosa by knockout in the first round.
José Aldo defeated Micky Young by TKO in the first round at FX3- Battle of Britain on October 15, 2005.
José Aldo experienced his first MMA defeat in November 2005. This marked the end of his undefeated streak.
José Aldo fought Luciano Azevedo at Jungle Fight 5 in November 2005, marking his first MMA defeat.
On May 20, 2006, José Aldo secured a unanimous decision victory against Thiago "Minu" Meller at Gold Fighters Championship I.
José Aldo won a unanimous decision against Shoji Maruyama in the Pancrase 2007 Neo-Blood Tournament Finals, demonstrating his dominance in stand-up and ground fighting.
José Aldo made his debut for World Extreme Cagefighting in June 2008, defeating Alexandre Franca Nogueira at WEC 34.
José Aldo was named Sherdog's Fighter of the Year in 2009.
In June 2009, José Aldo secured a victory against Cub Swanson at WEC 41 via double flying knee in the first round.
José Aldo won the WEC Featherweight Championship on November 18, 2009, defeating Mike Brown by TKO in the second round at WEC 44.
In April 2010, José Aldo defeated former titleholder Urijah Faber by unanimous decision at WEC 48.
José Aldo successfully defended his title against Manny Gamburyan by KO in the second round at WEC 51 in September 2010.
World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in October 2010, leading to José Aldo becoming the inaugural UFC Featherweight Champion.
José Aldo was awarded the first ever UFC featherweight title belt on November 20, 2010, at UFC 123.
In April 2011, José Aldo successfully defended his UFC title against Mark Hominick by unanimous decision at UFC 129, earning Fight of the Night honors.
José Aldo successfully defended his UFC title against Kenny Florian by unanimous decision at UFC 136 in October 2011.
José Aldo defended his UFC title against Chad Mendes, winning via KO at UFC 142 in January 2012.
José Aldo defeated Chan Sung Jung via fourth-round TKO at UFC 163 in August 2013.
José Aldo successfully defended his title against Ricardo Lamas by unanimous decision at UFC 169 in February 2014.
José Aldo withdrew from his scheduled rematch with Chad Mendes at UFC 176 in August 2014 due to injury.
José Aldo won his rematch against Chad Mendes by unanimous decision at UFC 179 in October 2014, earning Fight of the Night honors.
José Aldo withdrew from his scheduled bout against Conor McGregor at UFC 189 in July 2015 due to a rib injury.
José Aldo lost his UFC Featherweight Championship to Conor McGregor by knockout at UFC 194 in December 2015.
José Aldo lost to Conor McGregor at UFC 194 in December 2015, ending his 10-year winning streak.
José Aldo defeated Frankie Edgar by unanimous decision to win the interim UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 200 in July 2016.
José Aldo was promoted to UFC Featherweight Champion in November 2016 after Conor McGregor was stripped of the title.
In April 2017, Sherdog's pound-for-pound ranking recognized José Aldo as "the greatest featherweight in mixed martial arts history."
José Aldo lost his UFC Featherweight Championship to Max Holloway by TKO at UFC 212 in June 2017.
José Aldo lost his rematch against Max Holloway by TKO at UFC 218 in December 2017.
As of May 7, 2024, José Aldo is ranked #8 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.