UFC 315's Weight-Cut Crisis: Jose Aldo Falls Short, Event Saved by Last-Minute Adjustment
In the world of UFC, Jose Aldo's future weight class is up in the air following his loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315. Originally, the fight was scheduled for the bantamweight division, but Aldo had a tough time with the weight cut, ultimately moving the bout to featherweight on short notice. Aldo tipped the scales at 143 pounds, a fair distance above the bantamweight limit.
Given these weigh-in struggles, it's no small wonder that Aldo's continued stint in the bantamweight division is questionable. However, after announcing his retirement following the fight, discussions about his future weight class might become moot.
Here's a rundown of Aldo's situation:
- Weight-Cut Woes: Aldo faced challenges making the 135-pound bantamweight limit, prompting the fight to shift to featherweight.[1][2]
- Featherweight Familiarity: With a history of success in the featherweight division, Aldo may consider returning to this weight class if he thought twice about retirement.[3]
- Retirement Bells: Announcing his retirement after the loss to Zahabi could put an end to conversations about his future weight class.[1]
For Zahabi, it made sense to take the fight at featherweight, given the bout took place in his home country, ensuring a sea of supportive fans. Additionally, defeating a legend like Aldo—even one who may have been compromised—would still be quite the achievement.
On the other hand, the UFC generally favors flexible fighters who keep fights alive, so Zahabi could have opted out of the altered weight class. But there might have been some concern about how a cancelled main-card fight on a pay-per-view event would look for the promotion. As it stands, Zahabi is expected to win, but the curiosity lies in Aldo's state for what could potentially be a defining fight in the remainder of his career.
- If Jose Aldo decides to reconsider his retirement, he might contemplate a return to the featherweight division, a weight class he's had success in prior.
- The UFC might have encouraged Aiemann Zahabi to compete at the originally scheduled bantamweight, as they often prefer flexible fighters who maintain fights, but he chose to accept the featherweight bout to benefit from the support of his home crowd.
- Despite Jose Aldo's weight-cut struggles at UFC 315, the fight's outcome against Zahabi could have significant implications for Aldo's future in the UFC, if he chooses not to retire.
