Conor McGregor has offered a brief tribute to one of his most significant past rivals, Jose Aldo, following the Brazilian`s second retirement from mixed martial arts this past weekend at UFC 315.
The history between the two fighters is legendary, culminating in their 2015 clash for the undisputed UFC featherweight title. At UFC 194, McGregor famously knocked out Aldo in just 13 seconds, handing him his first-ever loss inside the octagon and securing McGregor`s first undisputed championship.
While their relationship has seen ups and downs over the years, McGregor has generally expressed respect for Aldo`s remarkable career accomplishments. After watching Aldo announce his retirement again after his fight on Saturday night at UFC 315, McGregor shared a short message on his Instagram story.
McGregor`s Observation Post-UFC 315
At the Bell Centre in Montreal on Saturday evening, Jose Aldo competed against Aiemann Zahabi. The fight followed a challenging week where Aldo missed weight significantly. Although he pushed for a finish in the third round, Aldo appeared to fatigue and ultimately lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Following the fight and addressing the health issues that complicated his weight cut for the featherweight contest, Aldo confirmed he was stepping away from the sport. This marks his second retirement, the first occurring after a loss to Merab Dvalishvili in 2022.
Aldo was honored for his contributions to the sport with an induction into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023.
Despite the outcome of his final fight, Conor McGregor still seemed impressed by Aldo`s performance. McGregor shared a video that labeled Aldo the `featherweight GOAT` (Greatest Of All Time). His accompanying caption on Instagram was simply, “Jose Aldo last night,” paired with an eye emoji, a four-word observation.
Past Instances of McGregor Respecting Aldo
Since their intense rivalry concluded with that rapid knockout, Conor McGregor has consistently shown respect for Jose Aldo. Although moments of tension have arisen, the Irishman has generally acknowledged Aldo`s status, often regarding him as potentially the greatest featherweight fighter in history.
Following Aldo`s previous retirement and subsequent Hall of Fame induction, McGregor publicly stated that Aldo`s place in the Hall was “earned.” The two fighters have even entertained the idea of training together should Aldo ever visit Ireland.
