José Aldo is the former WEC and UFC featherweight champion. He will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Modern Wing’ as a member of the Class of 2023 during the 11th Annual UFC ceremony in Las Vegas.
Aldo is considered the greatest featherweight of all time, having helped build the sport of MMA and the UFC brand, and changed the perception of the smaller weight classes.
Aldo compiled a record of 31-8 (24-7, UFC / WEC / PRIDE / Shooto Brazil), securing victories over UFC Hall of Famers Urijah Faber and Cub Swanson, former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, and others.
Aldo has a Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under André Pederneiras as far back as 2013 if not longer and a Black belt in Luta Livre under Marco Ruas since 2014.
Recently Gilbert Burns talked a little bit about his experience coming up with Jose Aldo:
“I was a blue belt in jiu-jitsu, he was a purple belt, and he was stronger than me in jiu-jitsu. His BJJ was just great, great.”
” He beat Cobrinha, three-time ADCC champion, defeated Bruno Frazzato, one of the best jiu-jitsu light weights of his time.”
” He was very, very strong in jiu-jitsu, but then he fell in love with striking.”
” And he was very athletic for striking, he still has good jiu-jitsu, but striking took his attention.”
