page_title: José Aldo
section_title: UFC Featherweight Champion
hierarchical_section_title: José Aldo / Mixed martial arts career / Ultimate Fighting Championship / UFC Featherweight Champion
caption_attribution_description: (From left to right) José Aldo, Dana White and Conor McGregor
context_page_description: José Aldo da Silva Oliveira Júnior, commonly Anglicized as Jose Aldo, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was the fourth and final WEC Featherweight Champion, becoming the first UFC Featherweight Champion after the UFC/WEC merger. He is a former three-time UFC featherweight champion overall, having been the undisputed champion twice and the interim champion once. As of August 25, 2020, he is #7 in the UFC Bantamweight rankings and he is #14 in the UFC featherweight rankings.
  After his first MMA defeat in November 2005, Aldo remained undefeated for over a decade, winning 18 straight fights until UFC 194 in December 2015. He was named Sherdog's 2009 Fighter of the Year. In Sherdog's April 2017 pound-for-pound ranking, Aldo was called "the greatest featherweight in mixed martial arts history."
context_section_description: Aldo made his first title defense against Mark Hominick on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129 by defeating the Canadian by a unanimous decision in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors.
  Aldo had his second title defense against Kenny Florian on October 8, 2011, at UFC 136, where he won by unanimous decision.
  Aldo next faced Chad Mendes on January 14, 2012, at UFC 142, Aldo won via KO in the final second of the first round.
  After a series of injuries and opponent change-ups, Aldo faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 156. Aldo retained his belt via unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, and 48–47).  The performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors. This performance resulted in Aldo setting the record for most championship bouts, including his original title plus three defences.
  Aldo was expected to face Anthony Pettis on August 3, 2013, at UFC 163. However, in mid-June Pettis pulled out of the bout citing a knee injury and was replaced by Chan Sung Jung. Aldo defeated Jung via fourth-round TKO, finishing Jung with a flurry of strikes after Jung suffered a dislocated shoulder while throwing an overhand right.
  On February 1, 2014, at UFC 169 Aldo defended his title by defeating Ricardo Lamas by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, and 49–46).
  Aldo again was in talks to fight Pettis after defending his title against Lamas. At the post-fight press conference, Aldo expressed interest to move up and fight Pettis at 155 lbs. However, those plans were quickly refuted as Pettis was selected to serve as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 20.
  A rematch with Chad Mendes was expected to take place on August 2, 2014, in the event headliner at UFC 176.  However, in early July, Aldo pulled out of the bout with an injury.  The rematch with Mendes was subsequently rescheduled and took place for October 25, 2014 at UFC 179. Despite getting dropped in the first round and being rocked in the third, Aldo scored two knockdowns of his own, one in the first and the other in the third and also rocked Mendes throughout the fight, winning four of the five rounds in the eyes of the judges thus taking the fight by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, and 49–46). The win also earned him his third Fight of the Night bonus award, and was selected Fight of the Year by multiple MMA outlets.
caption: Aldo (left) and Conor McGregor (right) pose for photos during the UFC 189 press conference in London.
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