Early next month, one of the Octagon’s favourite sons returns home. 

On May 4, the ‘King of Rio’ Jose Aldo will fight in the UFC cage for the first time in close to two years when he takes on Jonathan Martinez in co-main event of the organisation’s return to Brazil. The fight represents former longtime featherweight champion Aldo’s return to mixed martial arts, after initially announcing his retirement from the sport in September 2022 weeks after losing a top contender matchup to future title contender Merab Dvailishvili.

After that, Aldo moved to boxing where he scored two wins (though one was an exhibition), as well as a draw against former UFC opponent Jeremy Stephens.

Aldo, though, had one fight remaining on his UFC deal at the time of his retirement — and it looks as though he will fight out that contract next month in Rio, unless, of course, both parties agree to extend.

The Brazilian icon’s return to the UFC brings back memories of some of his finest moments in the cage — such as his October 2014 decision win against Chad Mendes; a fight which came two months before his stunning defeat at the hands (of left hand, to be more precise) of Conor McGregor.

Check it out below:

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