Former UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo continues to beat back Father Time in his new bantamweight division, schooling those who would challenge for a title with the tools he’s employed for over a decade at the top of the sport.
On Saturday night at UFC Vegas 44, it was top contender Rob Font who found out why Aldo is one of the all-time greats. Even though he had the right idea, using pressure and volume to make the ex-champ fight on his heels, he could not account for Aldo’s power until it was too late, with one heavy shot after another sending him reeling across the octagon at the UFC APEX.
Aldo took home a unanimous decision with scores of 50-45 twice and 49-46. With T.J. Dillashaw waiting in the wings and a title rematch on deck between champ Aljamain Sterling and ex-champ Petr Yan, the Brazilian phenom remains in the conversation for UFC gold.
Here’s what fighters had to say about the UFC Vegas 44 main event and the rest of a main card filled with finishes.
Man so much respect for font so much heart but happy to see the legend continue king of Brazil beautiful performance
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 5, 2021
Aldo might not be what he was during his reign at featherweight, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still be good enough to win another world championship. He’s still a savage whose just evolving his style as he ages. A legend.
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) December 5, 2021
Aldo’s moments were bigger than Robs consistency throughout the fight. Great heart by both men! #UFCVegas44
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) December 5, 2021
Love seeing Aldo throw leg kicks!!!!
— Jalin Turner (@JalinTurner) December 5, 2021
What an excellent fight, man! @RobSFont and @josealdojunior represented themselves, their families, and their teams so well. Aldo has been a LONG time favorite of mine and I didn’t root against him until today. But I think Jose won…
— Matt “The Mangler” Bessette (@Mangler_MMA) December 5, 2021
What are the stats on who stuff the most takedowns in their career aldo has to be number 1 with wec and ufc
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 5, 2021
I have a feeling Rob broke his orbital. He looks in pain and it doesn’t look good #UFCVegas44
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) December 5, 2021
Riddell is that guy in the bar you don’t think much of. Until you wake up with black eyes
— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) December 5, 2021
Everything these dudes are throwing is with bad intentions.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) December 5, 2021
He probably would’ve got the stoppage anyway but that’s a shit house stoppage. Herb shit his jokes #UFCVegas44
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) December 5, 2021
I have never seen such awkward striking work so well. MMA is crazy.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) December 5, 2021
Jamahal Hill hit Crute 3 times and dropped him with all but one of them. The 3rd didn’t drop him because he was already down. #Power
— The Thugjitsu Master (@thugjitsumaster) December 5, 2021
That was a violent knockout by Jamahal Hill as mullets go 0-2 tonight. Tough. #UFCVegas44
— Tanner Boser (@BulldozerBoser) December 5, 2021
Omg yes Clay Guida gets the sub. Amazing comeback! He’s in the Hall of Fame for a reason! #UFCVegas44
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) December 5, 2021
Guida went from almost getting TKOd to submitting Santos, he owes Keith Peterson dinner #UFCVegas44
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) December 5, 2021
That good ol American wrestling! Congrats Clay!!!
— JOSH EMMETT (@JoshEmmettUFC) December 5, 2021
Let’s goooooooo Midwest strong
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 5, 2021
What a beast!!! Amazing recovery !! How do you not love watching Clay Guida fight? ..real as they make em @ufc #ufcvegas44
— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) December 5, 2021
Let’s go Chris Curtis!!! Two wins against two tough opponents within a month. So happy for you! #UFCVegas44
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) December 5, 2021
There’s something beautiful about the range Curtis and Sean Strickland are willing to strike at
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) December 5, 2021
Out of curiosity, why doesn’t anyone ever attack Moronos body with that kind of high guard? Front kick, liver kicks, a jab or cross? It just seems like it’s…right there? #UFCVegas44
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 5, 2021
Lot of respect for micky gall having almost his whole pro career on the biggest stage. Talk about learning on the job
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) December 5, 2021
