Just days after announcing that he will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, the legendary Jose Aldo already has a date and a rival for his boxing debut.
Brazilian outlet Combate confirmed that the Brazilian mixed martial arts legend will face Argentine Emmanuel Zambrano on February 10th, at Arena Upper in Rio de Janeiro. The fight will take place at an agreed weight of super lightweight (140 pounds / 63.5 kg).
Jose Aldo’s move to boxing did not come as a surprise. After announcing his retirement from MMA as a professional at the end of 2022, the former WEC and UFC featherweight champion expressed interest in making his debut in the squared circle.
Although he never debuted in the discipline as a professional, boxing is not something outside of Aldo’s realm of knowledge. The former champion during his time in MMA training with the Brazilian Navy, where he saw an evolution in striking and greater effectiveness in his exchanges.
Aldo shocked the combat sports world by announcing his retirement from the sport in September, a month after his last outing in the Octagon when he lost to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278.
After losing his final MMA fight by unanimous decision, the considered greatest featherweight in history decided to hang up his MMA gloves with a 31-8 finish, comprising 17 knockout victories.
Rival of the Brazilian in his debut, the Argentine Emmanuel Zambrano has a short boxing career. The Buenos Aires native has a 0-3 record.
(more to follow)
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