Jose Aldo is supposed to be better than this.
The legend of Jose Aldo is supposed to be better than this.
The decade unbeaten Jose Aldo is supposed to be better than this.
The inspiration, the trailblazer, the immortal Jose Aldo is better than this.
Somewhere along the way, he lost himself. Somewhere in those generation-defining 13 seconds, Jose Aldo let them define him. He let 13 seconds define one of the greatest careers of all time. One of the greatest careers in any sport.
Hi to all my haters. Keep it going. It just gets me more motivated! pic.twitter.com/lJmNcgzLEz
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 22, 2016
That fateful night in Vegas on December 12 was historic for many reasons.
Conor McGregor won his first UFC belt, Jose Aldo lost for the first time since he signed on with the promotion, and MMA in Ireland and all over the world went to a whole new level off the back of Notorious mania. It was also the night where a little piece of Jose Aldo changed.
After the fight – all 13 seconds of it – the Brazilian was hit with unwarranted abuse, presumably by fans who had no idea of what this man has done for the sport or for all that he stood for. Presumably from people with no regard for legends.
As SportsJOE MMA editor Darragh Murphy put it, Jose Aldo deserved way more respect than any of that nonsense.
REMINDER: Jose Aldo deserves much more respect than all of the online abuse he's received https://t.co/3VsHFUsPh8 pic.twitter.com/Od3uQ70M9K
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 14, 2015
But after a while, respect wasn’t too high on Jose Aldo’s own agenda.
Maybe he was hurt, maybe he was embarrassed, maybe he just does not like Conor McGregor. Maybe he’s just trying to sell fights like we all praise McGregor for doing – before McGregor stopped wanting to sell fights, of course.
Whatever it is, since the last time he set foot in the octagon, it has just been an onslaught of disrespect from Aldo towards the Dubliner. It’s been a relentless barrage of swipes and digs and petty grievances that show no signs of slowing up.
Straight after McGregor’s loss to Diaz, Aldo piped up for the first time since January.
See ya at #UFC200, @TheNotoriousMMA. Your fairy tale is over. You got nowhere to run now. Time to a rematch, pussy. pic.twitter.com/67fmic8qxG
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 6, 2016
Then he started replying to his own tweets. This within minutes of McGregor’s loss.
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 6, 2016
Before he was creating his own hashtags.
Wouldn't have it any other way! #AldoMcGregor2 #UFC200 https://t.co/LRWb3oIVcY
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 20, 2016
If he’s going to do that, he shouldn’t be so touchy.
Is that the best you got, how creative. https://t.co/RDikpmlDCP
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 20, 2016
The hashtag is gathering momentum though.
#AldoMcGregor2 #UFC200
I'm waiting @danawhite 👀— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 20, 2016
REVEALED: Jose Aldo implies Conor McGregor is the joker.
I want it. You want it. Your coach wants it. One battle took place but the war is not over! #UFC200 pic.twitter.com/kslOseYIQD
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 21, 2016
Nobody likes a bragger.
10 years undefeated.
5 years as UFC champion.
7 title defenses.#IAmTheGreatest— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 26, 2016
Then he started sticking his nose into McGregor’s dealings with Dana White.
Training here in Vegas last night. Because some of us can train while still promoting the fight. @ufc @Reebok pic.twitter.com/vRIb5DDRVS
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) April 22, 2016
Maybe we’re being paranoid with this one?
Media tour in NYC. No time for vacations. #UFC200 #Reebok #Vitafor #NYC pic.twitter.com/p10uvLEJgm
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) April 26, 2016
Either way, he’s getting the same old responses.
@josealdojunior 13 seconds
— stevy mcc (@stevymcc1) April 26, 2016
@josealdojunior 13 ⏱
— SILK (@silkshutdown) April 22, 2016
So that’s probably prompted his latest gripes.
Speaking to ESPN, Aldo branded McGregor weak and someone who he doesn’t respect. For not doing media for UFC 200, Aldo didn’t hold back in his opinions about the Irish fighter.
“That shows you how weak he is,” he said. “I don’t see him as an athlete, I don’t respect him. In my opinion, he’s weaker than everything he always said.”
https://twitter.com/Peltsman/status/723846825023791104
