Former UFC Two-Division Champion Supports Teammate on Weigh-In Day
Aiemann Zahabi details comeback win over Jose Aldo after weight change
UFC 315 winner Aiemann Zahabi spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his unanimous decision victory over Jose Aldo in Montreal.
MONTREAL – As Aiemann Zahabi reflects on his recent fight, it’s clear the weight of the day is now behind him as he focuses on the victory ahead.
Yet, looking back, the bantamweight fighter faced a significant dilemma when he learned he had missed the bantamweight limit by a mere pound, while his opponent, legendary former featherweight champion Jose Aldo, was far behind.
This was no minor infraction; it escalated beyond just losing a percentage of Aldo’s purse. In Quebec, a discrepancy of over five pounds would have resulted in a canceled fight for Zahabi. The stakes were high: accept a weight compromise and fight Aldo at featherweight or forfeit the match altogether, especially after his grueling weight cut.
Ultimately, Zahabi (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) negotiated a deal to fight Aldo (32-10 MMA, 14-9 UFC) at the featherweight division, stepping into the ring for a fight that would turn out to be an intense clash, resulting in a surprising victory for Zahabi.
“When he missed weight by eight pounds, the first thing Georges told me was, ‘It’s going to be quite a story: Not only are you battling a legend, but you’re also doing it eight pounds heavier—because he couldn’t make weight,’” Zahabi shared. “Getting rocked added another layer of challenge, but I pushed through it all.”
This win marked Zahabi’s fifth consecutive victory. His first four were fought in the bantamweight category, and now he had just delivered a considerable setback to Aldo, who announced his retirement from MMA yet again following this match.
In doing so, Zahabi joined an elite group, now listed among the few who have defeated Aldo at 145 pounds— including the likes of Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski.
In retrospect, opting to take the fight was an obvious choice for Zahabi.
“I was caught between a rock and a hard place,” he confessed to MMA Junkie. “The UFC hadn’t returned to Montreal in a decade. My wife hadn’t seen me fight live in five years due to my busy schedule. I knew my family and friends were all coming to support me right here,” he added, his voice filled with emotion.
“Do I fight, or do I not fight? If I wanted to leave a mark in this sport, I had to face difficulties and find triumph against the odds. That’s precisely what I felt like I accomplished today.”
