“What an Absolute Robbery” – Fans Blame UFC 315 Judges for ‘Ruining’ Jose Aldo Retirement Fight 

UFC veteran Jose Aldo controversially lost his retirement fight against rising fighter Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315.

“What an Absolute Robbery” – Fans Blame UFC 315 Judges for ‘Ruining’ Jose Aldo Retirement Fight 

Jose Aldo left disappointed after his latest loss, and announced retirement inside the octagon (via X)

‘Leave the sport before the sport leaves you’ is a famous saying in the MMA lore, but Jose Aldo learned it the hard way these last few years. The former featherweight champion has been around in the UFC since 2011, and finally decided it was time to retire. However, his retirement fight didn’t go as expected, with many believing he was clearly robbed at the recent UFC 315.

Aldo fought Aiemann Zahabi, delivering a strong performance that was worthy of a clear victory. He controlled the first round with crisp boxing, landing effective strikes while Zahabi struggled to find rhythm or establish any offensive momentum. In round two, Aldo continued to showcase sharp counters, although Zahabi increased his pressure and output, making the round more competitive.

Round three saw Aldo land a knee and right hand that dropped Zahabi, nearly finishing the fight with dominant offense. Zahabi rallied late in the round with ground-and-pound, opening a cut on Aldo, possibly swaying the judges despite earlier damage. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Zahabi, shocking fans and analysts who overwhelmingly felt Aldo deserved the win.

The result was widely criticized as a robbery, especially considering Aldo’s clear dominance in two of the three rounds. Controversy intensified when it was revealed that two judges were from Zahabi’s hometown of Montreal, raising concerns of potential bias. Prominent fighters and analysts voiced their frustration, calling for improved judging standards and more accountability within the scoring system.

Fight fans react to Jose Aldo’s controversial loss at UFC 315

Following the bout, Jose Aldo left his gloves in the octagon, indicating retirement. The UFC legend stated that he likely wouldn’t return for future fights. Fans and fellow fighters were disappointed with the loss of a legend, and celebrated Aldo’s extraordinary contributions. This decision added to ongoing debates about fairness in UFC and its impact on careers, prompting Dana White to bring changes. 

Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315
Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 (via X)

Many also questioned UFC’s matchmaking, arguing Aldo should’ve faced another legend instead of being used to elevate a younger fighter. Despite the loss, Aldo’s performance reminded everyone of his greatness, leaving many believing he deserved a better retirement fight. Nevertheless, here are some reactions from the Brazilian legend’s controversial retirement fight.

As expected, many fans called out UFC and the judges for ruining the legacy of a veteran like Jose Aldo. Something similar also happened in his last fight, when he lost a controversial fight against another rising fighter in Mario Bautista. Top fighters like Max Holloway, who has fought with Aldo, praised the fighter in a recent post.

MMA veteran Jose Aldo’s UFC legacy 

Jose Aldo’s greatest UFC achievement was defending the featherweight title seven times as the inaugural champion after the WEC-UFC merger. He defeated elite contenders of the 2010s like Frankie Edgar, Chad Mendes, and The Korean Zombie with striking brilliance and flawless takedown defense. Aldo’s dominance across multiple generations of challengers elevated the featherweight division and made him a foundational figure in modern MMA history.

Jose Aldo's fighting legacy in UFC
Jose Aldo’s fighting legacy in UFC (via X)

The Brazilian legend was a fan favorite due to his humility and ability to perform at the highest level without arrogance. He never relied on trash talk or theatrics, instead earning admiration with calm and professional conduct. Coming from the favelas of Manaus, his journey from poverty to UFC champion deeply resonated with fans worldwide seeking inspiration.

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