Jose Aldo is all set to enter the boxing ring to make his professional debut in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, something that has kept a lot of fans logged in. The highly-anticipated clash is expected to take place on February 10 as per multiple people with good understanding of the situation. Although it remains unclear as to who will be his opponent, or the number of rounds and weight category, the plan is to make it a pro event. 

The 36-year-old veteran, considered as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, has been training boxing actively since before he hung up his MMA gloves. He has been working with boxing coaches at the Brazilian Navy in Rio de Janeiro to gear up on his technique and is all set to go hell for leather. Aldo exited MMA with a record of 31 victories and eight defeats, 17 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

This bout is set to take place at the Upper Arena, Nova Uniao’s training center and a huge attendance is expected in the Brazilian city to cheer for their local star.  The former UFC and WEC featherweight champion hung up his boots from MMA after having his three-fight winning streak curtained by Merab Dvalishvili in 2022.

Technically Aldo remains under contract with the UFC but he said company president Dana White promised he would clear him to compete in any sport other than MMA. Aldo told the MMA Fighting podcast Trocação Franca in October that competing in boxing was “a possibility” as his next move.

“It was always a dream I had in my life, I never hid that from anyone. It was always a dream. But let’s see. Everybody says I’m still young, that I have a few years [left],” Jose Aldo said. 

Aldo’s MMA career kick-started in 2004 and is considered one of the greatest personalities in combat sport history. In the featherweight category, the Brazilian defended his title a record seven times, making him the best in that division in the sport’s history. He also held a defeat-less streak for over a decade until Connor McGregor took him down in 2015.