Aldo Reveals High Chance Of 2027 Boxing Return

Jose Aldo says there is a high chance he returns to boxing in 2027.

The UFC Hall of Famer, who holds a 2-0-1 professional boxing record, told MMA Fighting he was approached by Spaten Fight Night officials earlier this year about headlining their August card but could not commit while on vacation in Mexico. The show ultimately featured Glover Teixeira against Mauricio Rua instead. Aldo confirmed he reached out to UFC president Dana White about the opportunity but said the promoter needed an immediate answer and the timing did not work out.

Aldo On Boxing Pay And UFC Permission

Aldo, who has three fights remaining on his UFC contract, said he would need clearance from the promotion to compete in boxing again. He noted that White previously told him any outside boxing offers would be approved without issue. "Thank God, athletes are well compensated at Spaten, so that's very good," Aldo said. "It's no coincidence that any athlete who comes in, for the amount they offer you, you fight."

The Brazilian featherweight legend was approached again by Spaten officials backstage in Sao Paulo while working as a television commentator, with Olympic judoka Flavio Canto and jiu-jitsu icon Kyra Gracie pushing for his return. Aldo said the pair told him he was now their target for a future show, which typically takes place around the same time each year.

Aldo retired from mixed martial arts in 2022, compiled his short boxing run in Brazil with a majority draw against Jeremy Stephens sandwiched between two wins, then returned to the UFC octagon in 2024. He beat Jonathan Martinez before losing consecutive decisions to Mario Bautista and Aiemann Zahabi and retiring again. As for potential boxing opponents, Aldo floated the idea of facing former rivals Chad Mendes or Urijah Faber or even booking a long-discussed superfight with Anthony Pettis.

Any comeback, however, will hinge on money. "For me to fight, it's this much," Aldo said, per MMA Fighting. "If you don't want it, I don't care. I want X amount. If you want me to fight, it's this much. If you don't, brother, you can leave me here because I'm happy taking care of my family, being a regular family man. Money talks."

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• MMA Fighting — Jose Aldo reveals ‘high chance’ he returns to boxing in 2027: ‘Money talks’