One of the greatest to do ever do it has done it for the last time.

Former longtime WEC and UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, 38, has confirmed his retirement from mixed martial arts after coming out on the wrong end of a close decision in his UFC 315 clash with Aiemann Zahabi in Montreal on Saturday night.

Despite starting the fight strong and nearly finishing it inside the first frame, the Brazilian icon tired as the bout wore on allowing Zahabi to gain foothold and ultimately claim a razor-thin (and somewhat controversial) 29-28 decision after the 15-minutes had elapsed.

Moments afterwards, Aldo signalled his intention to the Canadian crowd that they had witnessed his final fight in mixed martial arts.

“Thank you to Dana, to Sean [Shelby], to Lorenzo Fertitta, for everybody in the UFC for everything they’ve given me,” Aldo said post-fight.

“I don’t think I have it in me anymore. This was a tough week. It just wasn’t about cutting the weight and everything else. I just felt there were so many things that happened. It was very tough to go through all this.”

The bout with Zahabi took place at featherweight after Aldo had difficulty making the non-title bantamweight limit of 136-pounds — a factor he alluded to as being prominent to his decision.

“There was one point this week, it was a very tough week, that I felt I didn’t have it in me,” he added.

“I didn’t want to cut anymore. My body said no and I just don’t think I have it anymore. I don’t want to go into war all the time and go through this. I just don’t have it in my heart anymore. I think this is the last time you’re going to see me. I can’t do this anymore.”

Aldo steps away as one of the most legendary fighters in mixed martial arts history, having won 32 of his 42 bouts. He holds notable wins over the likes of Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Frankie Edgar, Renato Moicano and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.