Jose Aldo expressed significant dissatisfaction with his performance against Mario Bautista. He admitted that he initially avoided discussing the bout for an extended period due to what he described as a “terrible” and uneventful 15 minutes displayed last October at UFC 307.
Now scheduled to face Aiemann Zahabi on May 10, as the promotion returns to Canada for UFC 315, the former UFC and WEC featherweight champion openly discussed his frustrations about that match and the adjustments he has implemented since.
Speaking at the UFC 315 media day on Wednesday, Aldo stated, “I focused on myself, on my skills, on what I do best. The way I fought in that last fight was absolutely terrible, and I cannot repeat that. What everyone expects when they see Aldo fight are exciting performances, where I give my best, and that didn’t happen. It was a poor fight.”
He explained that instead of extensively studying his upcoming opponent and anticipating specific attacks that might not materialize, he decided to concentrate on his own abilities, believing that is the approach that made him a champion and how he should perform.
Aldo admitted his anger was directed inward. “I was very upset with myself,” he said. “I felt terrible. It wasn`t just about the result, but because I know I am capable of much more. While I won`t diminish my opponent, I know my own capabilities. I`m stronger, more skilled than Mario, and I shouldn`t be acting foolishly in the cage, allowing that to happen. I felt bad, truly. I couldn`t even look at myself or discuss fights after what I did in that bout.”
He acknowledged the frustration from fans and the UFC, emphasizing his professional obligation. “I`m well-paid to do my job,” he noted. “Regardless of winning or losing, you have to perform well. I realized what I needed to change for this upcoming fight. I have to focus on myself like I always did. Back then, there was no excessive studying or `internet analysis` of `your opponent does this and that.` I expected him to do something, and nothing happened, and the referee didn`t break us either. It was an awful fight, and I was furious. You have to get in there and fight! Whether you win or lose doesn`t matter as much as doing the job you`re paid for.”
After coming out of retirement to face Jonathan Martinez and Mario Bautista, Aldo was matched with Zahabi, a pairing that surprised many fans more than his previous opponents. Aldo stated he wasn`t surprised by the call and criticized higher-ranked fighters who are unwilling to face opponents ranked lower than them.
“To become champion, whether it`s a big name or not, I have to rely on my skills and overcome them,” Aldo asserted. “The Martinez fight was a good one. Some expected him to dominate me due to my layoff, but I performed well. In the Mario fight, things went differently, and it was disappointing. Given my status and history, I must perform significantly better. I need to go in there and aim for a knockout. He didn`t seem to have significant skills or power. Honestly, I saw his strikes coming and was playing around instead of fighting. I cannot accept that from myself.”
He added that he doesn`t blame the UFC for the matchups. “I see myself like fine wine; the older I get, the better I become,” Aldo commented. “I`m more explosive, more experienced, faster. That`s why I need to accept fights and not pick opponents, demanding a `big name,` or fight a slow, unattractive bout like two older, out-of-shape fighters who get tagged once and fall. That`s not me.”
Aldo promised to be aggressive against Zahabi and even took a subtle swipe at UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, who defeated him by decision in August 2022 using a grappling-focused strategy that didn`t result in successful takedowns.
“If I`m truly at the highest level, and I have what it takes to become champion, a level where even the current champion is hesitant to fight me again because he knows our last fight was tough and perhaps felt he was aided by the judges,” Aldo remarked, seemingly referencing Dvalishvili. “Everyone knows what I am capable of. And I know it myself because I see it in training, dominating younger fighters. I absolutely must not fight foolishly again.”
