Former UFC Fighter On Real Reason Why José Aldo Is Making MMA Return At UFC 301: 'Everything That I've Heard...'

Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson recently shed some light on José Aldo's surprise UFC return. 

It has been confirmed that "Junior" will step out of his MMA retirement to take on Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301. Aldo initially retired from the UFC in September 2022 with one fight left on his contract. 

In the time since, he has tried his hand at boxing, picking up an exhibition bout win over Emmanuel Zambrano, fighting to a professional draw opposite Jeremy Stephens, and winning one pro bout.

Now, however, he will complete the last fight on his UFC contract after all, competing in front of a home country crowd in Brazil again on May 4. 

'They Needed To Bring Him Back' - Josh Thomson On José Aldo's UFC Return

On a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, Josh Thomson shed some light on why the UFC might have opted to bring José Aldo back.

"The Punk" explained that the promotion is lacking viable Brazilian star power to move tickets for the May pay-per-view.

"Everything I've heard, though, is the reason why is because they don't have anyone right now that can bring the star power to Brazil," Thomson said. "They needed to bring him back. So I don't know what they're paying him but, you know, this is a good fight for him though, to come back on, this is a good fight for him."