Dana White’s UFC called out for ‘most disrespectful’ treatment of ‘Featherweight GOAT’ after fight announcement

Dana White and the UFC matchmaking a legendary fighter against prospect has sparked angry reactions online.

Dana White’s UFC called out for ‘most disrespectful’ treatment of ‘Featherweight GOAT’ after fight announcement

Dana White blasted for poor matchmaking involving UFC featherweight GOAT candidate (Image via Imago)

Throughout UFC history, each division has produced its share of legends. In the featherweight division, former champion Jose Aldo stands out as the greatest due to the record of having the most title defenses. However, instead of retiring, the Brazilian legend continues to compete, sparking debate over Dana White’s treatment of him.

Recent fight announcements have suggested that Jose Aldo will take on #13 ranked bantamweight fighter, Aiemann Zahabi, at UFC 315. Despite being a fan favorite, many fans were unhappy with Aldo still fighting, especially an opponent like Zahabi. Aldo’s last clash was against Mario Bautista at UFC 307 also drew the ire of fans as they wanted to see the legend other veteran fighters. 

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Irrespective of his legendary status, it is safe to say that Aldo’s career in 2017 has been inconsistent. His wins against Marlon Vera and Renato Moicano were overshadowed by his losses against the likes of Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski, Petr Yan, and Merab Dvalishvili. While Holloway and Volkanovski share a similar GOAT status, they are definitely in a different position in comparison to Aldo. 

At the age of 38, most of the UFC fighters retire from UFC or focus on other ventures such as boxing. Legends like Nate Diaz have also followed the same path to potentially earn more money. On the other hand, old fighters such as Jon Jones are thinking about making a big bag before leaving the UFC. 

UFC fight fans react to Jose Aldo fight announcement 

Jose Aldo ruled the featherweight division for nearly a decade, defending his title seven times in the UFC. He became a national hero in Brazil, inspiring countless fighters with his humble beginnings and incredible success. From fighting legends like Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes to fighting Aiemann Zahabi, Aldo has come a long way. Here are some reactions to his latest fight announcement.

Jose Aldo fighting Conor McGregor at UFC 194
Jose Aldo fighting Conor McGregor at UFC 194 (via X)

The MMA Guru was the one who called out Dana White and the UFC. He blamed the UFC for mismanaging the twilight of Aldo’s career. Instead of fighting exciting fighters like Deiveson Figueiredo, Cory Sandhagen, Henry Cejudo, or Sean O’Malley, the UFC continues to push Aldo against unproven rising stars in the division. MMA fans have also chimed in with their reaction to the new matchup.

As expected, many fight fans were disappointed with UFC’s matchmaking regarding Jose Aldo. There was serious discussion about Dana White’s favoritism and unfair treatment towards veterans. Nevertheless, many fans are exited to see Aldo fight again.

Related: Return fight of Sean O’Malley might be against the legendary Jose Aldo, admits longtime coach