Floyd Mayweather has been letting unconventional boxing names get a crack at him on his exhibition world tour, and one former UFC champion might have his shot coming soon. Former UFC featherweight champion José Aldo believes he will get a shot against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. shortly. The former dominant UFC featherweight champion said he is talking to Floyd Mayweather for an exhibition boxing match later this year.
“His side has already agreed, my side too,” Aldo said to MMA Fighting on Friday. “We’re now waiting for [the promoters] to get the deal done.”
Aldo made his professional boxing debut Friday night in Rio de Janeiro. Though he couldn’t get the knockout, he dominated Argentine boxer Emmanuel Zambrano (0-4) in a 140-pound match in the main event of Shooto Boxing.
Jose Aldo vs. Floyd Mayweather? 😳 pic.twitter.com/tLqHOezaEC
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) February 11, 2023
Scarface
It was reported by MMA Fighting that the possible pugilistic bout is targeted for June or July in Saudi Arabia. Mayweather has been on a world tour of exhibitions since retiring from professional boxing and has maximized income potential against social media influencers-turned-boxers.
“It might be exhibition on [Mayweather’s] side, but not for me,” Aldo continued. “It’s punch to the face like always. He knows that.”
The former WEC and UFC featherweight champion will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Modern Wing’ as a member of the Class of 2023. The 2023 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place during the 11th Annual UFC International Fight Week this summer in Las Vegas.
Jose Aldo’s return to boxing:pic.twitter.com/IlKJFTPt6N
— MMA mania (@mmamania) February 11, 2023
A veteran of 39 fights during his 18-year professional MMA career, Aldo compiled a record of 31-8 across worldwide promotions like the UFC, World Extreme Cagefighting, Japan’s PRIDE, and Shooto Brazil. He secured victories over tough-as-nails UFC Hall of Famers Urijah Faber and Cub Swanson.
He also scored wins over former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, former WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown, former Pancrase Korea lightweight tournament winner Chan Sung “The Korean Zombie” Jung, and former Shooto lightweight champion Alexandre Nogueira.
“Jose Aldo is the greatest featherweight of all time,” UFC President Dana White said in a statement. “From WEC to UFC, Jose helped us build the sport of MMA and UFC as a brand, as well as change the perception of the smaller weight classes and what they could accomplish inside the Octagon.”
My team! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/g6p3MXZkID
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) February 11, 2023
The Mayweather Effect
Mayweather has been on an exhibition tour that has touched the United Arab Emirates and Japan. Now he will make his long-awaited in-ring debut in the U.K. on Saturday, Feb. 25, as he faces pro-MMA fighter Aaron “The Joker” Chalmers in an exhibition bout live from the O2 Arena in London.
It is the first time in his career that Mayweather will perform his unique brand of fisticuffs in the United Kingdom.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Aaron Chalmershttps://t.co/kUDXFftl9z#filme #serie #euassisti #ação #floydmayweatherjrvsaaronchalmers pic.twitter.com/anJZvM3HAV
— Eu Assisti (@eu_assisti) February 3, 2023
“I was originally supposed to face a different opponent, but injuries happen and I’m glad that Aaron Chalmers could step up so that we could give the fans what they want,” said Mayweather in a statement.
He famously stopped British superstar Ricky Hatton in a 2007 welterweight title in Las Vegas.
“The fans in the U.K. have always been great to me and supported me throughout my career, so an event like this has been a long time coming. I’m excited to add more history to the O2 Arena in London.”
Aldo is hoping after Mayweather’s U.K. jaunt that he will be up next for an epic match of arguably the greatest defensive fighter ever and one of mixed martial arts’ most effective strikers.
