Overview

• During a surprise main-card appearance the UFC granted, Aldo walked out at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro and laid his gloves in the center of the cage.
• His family joined him in the Octagon as the home crowd delivered an ovation.
• The ceremony marked a second retirement following a 2024–25 return that featured a win over Jonathan Martinez and close losses to Mario Bautista and Aiemann Zahabi.
• A foundational featherweight, he became the UFC’s first champion at 145 pounds and recorded seven consecutive title defenses.
• Fighters and fans posted tributes across social media, while talk of potential non-UFC bouts surfaced as speculation only.