“ They did this man so dirty” - Fans react as José Aldo announces retirement from MMA following his loss to Aiemann Zhabi

José Aldo, former featherweight champion and member of the UFC Hall of Fame, has formally retired from mixed martial arts after losing to Aiemann Zahabi via a controversial unanimous decision at UFC 315. After telling Daniel Cormier, "I just don't have it in my heart anymore," the 38-year-old Brazilian legend took off his gloves in the Octagon on Saturday night, marking the end of a legendary career.

Aldo's retirement caused a stir on social media, where a user commented:

“They did this man so dirty.”

Aldo made his announcement shortly after the judges decided that Zahabi had won the three-round featherweight fight 29-28, even though Aldo appeared to have won the first two rounds and had almost knocked out Zahabi with a head kick in the third.

Through Fabiano Buskei, the UFC translator, José Aldo said:

"I don't think I have it in me anymore. This was a tough week. It wasn't just about the cutting of the weight and everything else. I just felt there were so many things that happened to go through all of this.

He continued:

"There was one point this week - this was a very tough week - that I felt that I didn't have it in me. I didn't want to cut anymore (weight). My body said, no, and I just don't think I have it anymore. I don't want to go into war all the time and go through this. I just don't have it in my heart anymore. I think this is the last time you're going to see me. I can't do this anymore."

When the judges' ruling was announced, the MMA community exploded in protest. While others criticized the judging, many fighters and fans blamed the UFC for not giving Aldo the respect he deserved in his farewell. Fellow Brazilian Renato Moicano, a UFC lightweight, and legend Rafael dos Anjos both supported the Brazilian and had a thing or two to say about the unanimous decision. Moicano took to social media, calling it a "f*cking robbery" while Anjos tweeted:

"Bad judging made one of the best fighters to ever do it retire sooner. Aldo lost two fights in a roll for bad judges. That’s too bad, something need to change. #UFC315"

Even José Aldo's rivals and other UFC fighters defended him. Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, and Cub Swanson took to social media to show their support.

José Aldo appeared older and had weight loss difficulties. However, he delivered strong blows throughout the rounds, including dropping Zahabi in the third round, but he waned in the last seconds. Now, on a six-fight winning run, Zahabi outscored Aldo 99-68 on the stat sheet after having fellow Canadian Georges St-Pierre at his corner.

The dispute is similar to José Aldo's loss against Mario Bautista via split decision at UFC 307, which many fans believed was an unfair outcome.

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The internet reacts as José Aldo announces retirement from MMA following his loss to Aiemann Zhabi

Following the retirement of great fighter José Aldo at UFC 315, MMA fans are furious. Many are accusing the UFC judges of making a "robbery" judgment in Aldo's defeat against Aiemann Zahabi. Fans were shocked and incensed when the 38-year-old Brazilian legend announced his retirement shortly after the unanimous verdict.

A user summed up the overall mood across the MMA community on X by tweeting:

"They did this man so dirty."

More chimed in following this comment, a user commented:

"Crazy to think how long this man was so competitive. Great career, great champion and a Hall of Famer"

Another user added to his great career:

"He was an amazing fighter and one of the best to ever be in the UFC"

A couple of users showed outrage over judging and retirement. The user tweeted:

"2x fights ina row he got robbed, they played my guy"

Another seconded:

"Absolute robbery sad to see, he will go down in history"

A third user joined in:

"After getting robbed by the judges 2 fights ina row I don’t blame em. UFC is pathetic"

Brian Ortega tweeted:

"Respect to Jose Aldo . The man’s a legend"

Fellow Brazilian Reanto Moicano tweeted:

"Absolutely legend!!! You had a great career!!! Enjoy your retirement legend !! #ufc315"

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José Aldo retires from professional MMA with a 32-9 record, which includes 17 knockouts. He became well known in 2009 as the WEC featherweight champion, a title he carried over to the UFC following the merger. Aldo established himself as one of the best featherweights in history by making seven successful championship defenses and maintaining an 18-fight winning streak.

Later, in 2019, José Aldo switched to bantamweight, where he maintained his position as a top contender. Aldo was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023 and returned to the UFC for one last run, winning his comeback bout before losing two contentious decision fights.

Aldo's legacy as a legend of the sport remains undisputed.

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