Jose
Aldo’s return from retirement to assist bolster the UFC 301
card in Rio de Janeiro was met with celebration by Brazilian
followers.
Along with Aldo, the promotion’s return to Rio de Janeiro
contains Brazilian standouts similar to flyweight champ Alexandre
Pantoja, Caio
Borralho and Michel
Pereira — making the cardboard extra interesting to followers within the
nation.
Aldo will face Jonathan
Martinez in a bantamweight bout on Might 4 at Rio Area. In an
interview with Sherdog.com, Nova Uniao coach Andre
Pederneiras shared extra particulars relating to negotiations
for Aldo’s UFC return.
“Since final yr we had been negotiating for the final struggle of Aldo’s
UFC contract. Since I began to barter with Sean Shelby, three
months in the past, many names had been thought-about,” Pederneiras mentioned. “Of
course, we began from the highest of the rankings, attempting some names
that will make sense for a final struggle at dwelling, however most of these
names weren’t obtainable.
Dominick [Cruz] wanted extra time; [Henry] Cejudo had a shoulder
damage. We additionally requested about [Cory] Sandhagen and a rematch with
Petr
Yan, however nobody on the high of the rankings was obtainable. So we
began to ask concerning the guys on the backside of the rankings, and
that is how Jonathan´s identify got here up.”
In keeping with Pederneiras, the struggle was finalized simply days earlier than
it was introduced by the UFC.
“It was getting shut, and I informed Shelby that we would have liked a call,
in any other case it might be laborious for Aldo to chop weight and prepare for
Might 4,” the coach mentioned. “We aren’t speaking concerning the featherweight
division, however bantamweight. We simply bought the affirmation eight
weeks earlier than the occasion. Now, along with the burden chopping
course of, we’re readapting Aldo, who was simply coaching in boxing
for the final two years, to return to coach all MMA
disciplines.”
An surprising addition to Aldo’s camp this time round is ONE
Championship title holder Fabricio
Andrade.
“He was spending a while coaching with us in Rio when the struggle
was determined,” Pederneiras mentioned. “Martinez is southpaw. Andrade
works in each stances, throws good knees. If Aldo is defending
Fabricio’s assaults properly by the tip of camp, he won’t have
issues throughout the struggle.”
Pederneiras additionally analyzed Martinez’s strengths.
“He has nice low kicks and makes use of his inside leg kicks very properly to
open up different methods to assault,” Pederneiras mentioned. “Additionally, he’s very
skilled within the hanging sport, though he would not have an
iron chin. Undoubtedly the followers can anticipate an excellent struggle.”
