UFC president Dana White has revealed that former featherweight champion Jose Aldo has signed a new contract with the UFC and will continue his fighting career with the promotion. He was previously expected to retire at the end of his current three-fight contract, presumably this year.
Earlier this year, the legendary former champion
explained that after fulfilling his three-fight contract with the UFC, he wanted to retire and enjoy life.
"I had already planned to stop when I was 30 years old and begin something else. I'm at a point where I have to make a decision, and nothing is going to change my mind. Martial arts is always going to be a part of my life, but everything has a beginning, a middle and an end. And I see this coming to an end." he said back in January. However, it appears those plans have been put on hold.
"We did re-sign him," UFC President told ESPN.
"He signed a deal with us a while ago."
White didn't get into specifics, but Aldo's longtime coach and manager, Andre Pederneiras confirmed that Aldo signed an eight-fight contract prior to
his bout against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 237 in May. Aldo is coming off his first decision loss of his career against Volkanovski, a fight which the former champion
admitted was one of his worst performances in his life.
Aldo's next fight has not officially been announced, but is currently being worked out, White confirmed. Aldo (28-5) is considered one of the greatest featherweight fighters in the history of mixed martial arts, having defended the title seven times between 2011 to 2015 before finally surrendering it to Conor McGregor.