Jose Aldo Says He's the GOAT Among Brazilian Fighters

Nova Uniao coach Andre Pederneiras recently expressed confidence that Jose Aldo would not retire following his loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278. However, he was not able to confirm that Aldo would compete at UFC 283 in Rio De Janeiro in January.

Three weeks have passed since that fight and Aldo’s next move remains uncertain. In an interview on the YouTube talk show "Cara a Tapa," Aldo told journalist Rica Perroni that he still hasn’t decided on his next step. The former featherweight champion revealed that he has been approached by the UFC to fight in Rio de Janeiro, but he hasn’t given the promotion an answer because he hasn’t yet decided if he is going to retire.

During the interview Aldo was also asked about who he considers to be the greatest Brazilian fighter of all time, and he didn't think twice in his response.

“That´s easy, myself,” he said. “I won the title twice, dropped my weight, and I could very well get an opportunity to fight for the title again. I respect everyone's history, but I'm the best. I took on a new challenge, I lowered my [weight class], I lined up everyone, I did it for the title, I lost, I recovered again and I was doing well until I stumbled again. I'm the [best Brazilian] in history.”

While Aldo is convinced of his status at the national level in Brazil, he admits that competition for the all-time MMA GOAT is more difficult. According to Aldo, former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson and Georges St. Pierre deserve to be in the discussion, as does former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko. The Russian has been mentioned by Aldo as one of his inspirations in the sport thanks to the long unbeaten streak he enjoyed during his peak.

"Of achievements like that, [there is] Demetrious Johnson, who is a [lighter] weight that nobody talks about because he is tiny. But Georges was also a big name,” Aldo said. “But for me,  [it’s] Fedor. For me, he's one of the icons. When the guy stayed 10 years [undefeate]), I said: 'Damn, I want to beat this guy's record.’”