This Saturday, former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will step back into the octagon to face Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event held in Rio de Janeiro. Aldo, who retired in 2022 following a loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278, expressed his desire to return to the sport just to be back in the game, with no specific plans for his comeback.

Initially, Aldo was set to face Dominick Cruz in his comeback fight. However, due to issues with Cruz's camp, the matchup fell through, and Jonathan Martinez stepped in as the replacement. The coincidence of the fight being scheduled in Aldo's hometown of Rio de Janeiro was an added bonus.

Fans had long awaited a matchup between Aldo and Cruz, considering their respective reigns as champions in the WEC and UFC, as well as Aldo's subsequent move to bantamweight. However, Aldo expressed that Cruz was not his desired opponent. He aimed to face someone in the top five of the bantamweight division, highlighting Martinez's current six-fight winning streak and rising status at No. 12 in the UFC rankings.

While the possibility of facing Cruz could still be explored after Saturday, this fight marks an important moment for Aldo as it is the final bout of his current UFC deal. With his contract set to expire on Sunday, Aldo will become a free agent, leaving his future with the UFC uncertain. While he did not explicitly state his intentions to leave the promotion, he also did not rule out considering other possibilities for his next move.

Aldo emphasized that his focus for now is solely on the fight against Martinez, as he aims to assess his current standing in the world of MMA. He acknowledged the numerous offers he received after his retirement but emphasized that his decision has never been fueled by money. Instead, Aldo expressed his desire to gauge where he stands in the sport before making any decisions about his future.

Saturday's showdown with Martinez will provide valuable insight into Aldo's capabilities in the octagon, and from there, he will be able to determine the best course of action moving forward. Whether it be renewing his contract with the UFC or exploring new opportunities, Aldo's immediate priority lies in his performance on fight night.

As the anticipation grows for Aldo's return, fans eagerly await the outcome of his clash with Martinez. Will Aldo be able to make a triumphant return to the bantamweight division? The answer will come to light this Saturday in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.