Think ex-UFC champ Jose Aldo is down and out? Check out these messages
- from MMA Junkie on Jun 06, 2017
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In the days that have passed since Jose Aldo’s title loss in Saturday’s UFC 212 headliner, the former featherweight kingpin’s countrymen have been taking to social media to issue messages of support.
Aldo (26-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) suffered a third-round TKO loss to Max Holloway (18-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in their pay-per-view scrap at Rio de Janeiro’s Jeunesse Arena. While this wasn’t Aldo’s first octagon loss – he suffered a title-costing 13-second knockout to lightweight champ Conor McGregor – it carried the weight of taking place in front of the passionate fans of his adopted home of Rio.
Among those who stepped up to speak on behalf of Aldo’s legacy are colleagues who have felt firsthand the sting of losing UFC gold.
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, for instance, posted a video on Instagram talking about the importance of family at these times. He went on to say his fellow Brazilian ex-champ, who went on a staggering decade-long undefeated run before the McGregor loss, has “nothing to prove to anyone” (via Instagram):
A post shared by Rafael Dos Anjos (@rdosanjosmma) on
His message: “I hope you see this video, Aldo – to tell you that only you and your team know how hard it is. People who are criticizing now, saying you should have done this or that, this type of people have never been punched in the face. They have no idea what they’re talking about. And only the true fans will be by your side now. And you, your wife, your family know your sacrifice. And your coaches. At the end of the day, brother, when you get home and rest your head on your pillow, it’s you, your family, your wife, your daughter. That is your biggest treasure. I’m sending this message to say that you’re an example for many – for me. A great champion, not only in the octagon but in life too. You have nothing to prove to anyone.”
Former middleweight champion and all-time great Anderson Silva was one of the first to issue his support on social media. Silva stressed Aldo’s part as a role model in the sport. Under a picture that featured Aldo’s daughter, Joana, and wife, Viviane Pereira, Silva called his fellow countryman a “giant” and a “hero” (via Instagram):
His message: “My brother. You are much bigger than any battle. Your story gives us the full assurance that you are a great hero, a great champion, I am and I will always be your fan, brother. What you have most precious goes far beyond. Of course we were all rooting for you and for your victory, but do not cover yourself or let anyone charge you brother, because you are fantastic in what you do and do with love and with your heart. Do not forget who you are and how much you make a difference in this sport. You have changed the lives of many people. You are cause for victory and overcoming by the example that has become. Always keep your head up God is always in control. You are a great champion, no one can take this story from you, no one; battle is won and other losses, but never war. You are a giant, did not come to this world by chance. You are Ze Aldo. Our Ze Aldo. Do not forget brother, GOD bless you always warrior.”
Former UFC interim heavyweight titleholder and current UFC Hall of Famer Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira also used the word “hero” to describe the former 145-pound kingpin (via Instagram):
A post shared by Rodrigo Nogueira (@minotauromma) on
His message: “Our warrior. You’re our Brazilian hero, bud.”
Members of the newer octagon generation have also stepped up. Undefeated UFC welterweight Alberto Mina, for instance, published an inspired statement that takes aim at the public’s “ungrateful” attitude toward the fall of the longtime champ.
The message, which featured a “Whomever roots for me, roots for Aldo” hashtag, was shared by fellow UFC up-and-comers such as welterweight Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (via Instagram):
His message: “What’s going to happen to us, the ‘new generation of the UFC?’ Once the Brazilian fans can show so much ungratefulness with our champion who spent (and still is) over 10 years at the top? You watch your team lose, get downgraded, and you still root for them. Your favorite singer misses a show, cancels it, gets sick, wakes up with a bad voice or just didn’t sing what you wanted to hear… And then? You’re no longer a fan? What about your politician? Who you carried on your shoulders? Wore his jersey and even fought family members for him…. He let you down and certainly next year you’ll vote for him once again… Our profession is cruel, from hero to villain in the blink of an eye. The fan who can’t understand the greatness of Aldo for us fighters really isn’t apt to push the new generation.”
Check out other messages of support for Aldo:
Pedro Rizzo – Aldo’s coach, heavyweight legend, UFC and PRIDE vet (via Instagram):
His message: “Everything passes, the bad and the good, what stays is our history and how people will remember you. Your life story is beautiful and victorious, keep writing it. No matter what happens, I’ll always be here, as I’ve always been, by your side and ready for everything.”
Leonardo Santos – UFC lightweight, “TUF: Brazil 2” winner and Aldo’s Nova Uniao teammate
Santos shared a comment from an aspiring fighter who sees the ex-champ as a role model in overcoming his own struggles to make it away from his family, sleeping at a gym, much like Aldo did (via Instagram):
His message: “Today I had no words to describe something that diminished the pain of the loss for my friend @josealdojunioroficial. Something that made him see how important he is to all of us, how big of a part we play in his life. How much he managed to transform our lives. And just by being him, @josealdojunioroficial! So I got this… An example of how beloved he is and how much he has and still inspires us all.”
Bethe Correia – former UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger (via Instagram):
Foi muito guerreiro! Eterno campeão do povo @josealdojunioroficial
A post shared by Bethe (@bethecorreia) on
Her message: “You were a warrior. Eternal people’s champ.”
Gilbert Burns – UFC lightweight (via Instagram):
A post shared by GILBERT BURNS "DURINHO" (@gilbert_burns) on
His message: “We’re #TeamAldo in victory and defeat. You represent me in and outside of the octagon.”
For more on UFC 212, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
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