Jose Aldo is making a grand comeback to the octagon after nearly two years away. He’s set to face Jonathan Martinez in a bantamweight clash at UFC 301. This exciting match is scheduled for May 4 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Insiders close to the event shared this information with MMA Fighting on Saturday. This came after AG Fight first broke the news. Aldo himself confirmed the fight on his Instagram, adding to the buzz.
Aldo’s return is quite the surprise. He retired in 2022 after a defeat to Merab Dvalishvili, which dashed his hopes for another title shot at 135 pounds. Despite retiring, Aldo was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023. He also tried his hand at boxing, fighting twice in the last year, including a bout against Jeremy Stephens, another UFC veteran.
What prompted Aldo to return to MMA is still a mystery. However, he’s all set for his fight in May.
Aldo’s comeback involves navigating the UFC’s anti-doping program. Fighters are typically required to undergo six months of drug testing before they can compete again. Yet, it seems this requirement will be waived for Aldo, allowing him to participate in UFC 301. Records show that Aldo hasn’t been tested under this program since 2022.
Jonathan Martinez is on a roll, with six consecutive wins in the UFC. His recent victories over Adrian Yanez, Said Nurmagomedov, and Cub Swanson have been particularly impressive. At 29 years old, Martinez is climbing the bantamweight ranks and will be a significant challenge for Aldo, who hasn’t fought since September 2022.
UFC 301 is shaping up to be an event not to miss. Alongside Aldo’s return, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will defend his title against Steve Erceg. Mark your calendars for May 4; it’s going to be an exciting night of fights.