Jose Aldo says he has “been in talks for a long time to face Manny Pacquiao”
UFC Hall of Famer and former featherweight champion Jose Aldo returns this Saturday at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against Jonathan Martinez.
While the famed Brazilian mixed martial artist has not fought in professional mixed martial arts since his UFC 278 decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022, Aldo has not been inactive.
“Junior” fought three times as a professional boxer, getting his hand raised twice and also going to a draw against Jeremy Stephens.
At Wednesday’s UFC 301 media day, Aldo said he did commit to a fight on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing card on July 20, before booking his UFC return.
Aldo continued to discuss other boxing endeavors, even mentioning that he was close to coming to terms for bouts against two boxing legends.
“We were really close to facing Floyd [Mayweather], he also agreed to fight in Saudi Arabia, but I don’t know why it didn’t happen,” Aldo said. “But we’ve also been in talks for a long time to face Manny Pacquiao. To me, that would close my career, you know? I would be really happy [to face him] for the passion I have for boxing and the passion I have for him, watching him box. It would be great if that happens.”
