Jose Aldo drops decision to Aiemann Zahabi, says his 'heart isn't into MMA' any more

Saying his heart isn't in it, the legendary former UFC champion Jose Aldo said he's likely to retire for a second time following a unanimous decision defeat to Aiemann Zahabi Saturday on the main card of UFC 315 at the Bell Center in Montreal.

Aldo won the first round on all three judges' cards, but Zahabi swept the final two rounds to claim the decision. It was a gut-check performance by Zahabi, who was badly hurt and chased around the Octagon by Zahabi in the third round.

Aldo expended nearly all of his remaining energy trying to get the finish. When he didn't, and there were still three minutes left in the bout, he was in trouble. He simply had emptied the tank and Zahabi took advantage. Zahabi took him down, was dropping elbows and opened a big cut.

Aldo first retired in 2022 after a loss to future bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. He returned in 2024 and went 1-2 before saying he's probably done.

The fight was supposed to be a bantamweight bout, but Aldo's body shut down during the weight cut and it was changed to a featherweight bout.

"I don't have it in me any more," Aldo said. "This was a tough week. It wasn't just about the cutting of the weight and everything else. I just felt there were so many things that happened. It was very tough to go through all of this. ... I didn't want to cut any more. My body said no. I just don't think I have it any more. I don't want to go to war all the time and go through this. I just don't have it in my heart any more. I think this is the last time you'll see me in here."

Aldo is on a short list alongside Max Holloway and Alex Volkanovski as the greatest featherweight in MMA history. He is 32-10 with 18 finishes. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023.