Jose Aldo nearly retired after getting steamrolled by Max Holloway at UFC 218

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight champion, Jose Aldo, will return to the Octagon to battle 145-pound power puncher Jeremy Stephens at the upcoming UFC on FOX 30 mixed martial arts (MMA) event in Calgary.

More on how that came together here.

It’s a fight that almost didn’t materialize, as the Brazilian was on the verge of retirement after his second consecutive loss — and finish — to Max Holloway at UFC 218 last December, which sent him to the back of the championship line.

”After the fight, I took some time for myself, to think and stay with my family,” Aldo told Combate (via MMA Fighting). “Two weeks later, I met with my coaches, sat down with everyone. I asked what they thought, if it was time to stop or not. We decided to move forward. The next day I was in the gym.”

It’s been a tough road for Aldo over the past few years. Once considered among the pound-for-pound greats, “Junior” is just 1-3 dating back to late 2014 and he turns 32 this fall. No question he needs to slam the brakes on this recent skid if he plans to remain among the top title contenders.

Aldo (26-4) stands fast at No. 2 in the official UFC rankings.