When Jose Aldo claimed that he intended to hang up his gloves, it was met with an almost universal sense of “sure you are buddy.”
The drastic claim led many to believe that Aldo was simply using his retirement promise as a negotiating tactic in order to get what he wanted from the UFC.
The former long-time UFC featherweight champion, somewhat understandably, felt as though he had been neglected in recent years by his employer.
Jose Aldo, just another spinning plate in Operation Keep McGregor Happy | @DarrMurphyhttps://t.co/uTUWAde1dZ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 30, 2016
Aldo has certainly found himself the worst off individual in Conor McGregor’s ascent to the pinnacle of mixed martial arts, as he has seen the decisions about his future become increasingly dependent on the desires of his Irish rival.
Aldo’s frustrations have swelled to the point that he even threatened to throw his next bout if the UFC forced him to see out the remainder of his contract.
Maybe avoid any bets on Aldo's next bout, just to be safe. https://t.co/VyVR2FQLZi
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 12, 2016
Aldo’s grievances largely stemmed from a series of broken promises and moved goalposts.
The UFC denied him an immediate rematch with McGregor following his 13-second knockout defeat to ‘The Notorious’ at UFC 194 last December. The promotion guaranteed that Aldo would get the shot at redemption once he became interim featherweight champion but that too fell by the wayside once McGregor requested the chance to make history by attempting to claim lightweight gold against Eddie Alvarez.
Long story short, Aldo was pissed off and was seemingly attempting to test the adage that suggests the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
But a meeting with UFC president Dana White looks to have done the job in terms of appeasing Aldo as he has suggested that he is now rethinking his retirement claims.
Repensando na aposentadoria do MMA, conversei com minha família e vendo os pedidos dos meus Fans coisas boas virao para vocês. Thanks Russia
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) October 22, 2016
Aldo, in Portuguese, announced his potential turnaround via Twitter on Friday night.
“I’ve been rethinking my retirement from MMA,” Aldo wrote, as translated by Bloody Elbow. “I talked to my family, and, after seeing all the requests from my fans, there will be some good stuff coming for you guys. Thanks Russia.”
The “Thanks Russia” comment presumably refers to a trip to Russia in August which saw Aldo enjoy some training at a Reebok-organised event.
It would be an awful shame if a legend of the game like Aldo was to bow out of MMA at the relatively young age of 30.
He’s surely got a few more years left in him.
In the latest GAA Hour, we talk to Ken McGrath of Waterford and with Declan Brennan about a new club players’ association.
