MMA legend José Aldo is beheld by many as one of the greatest fighters ever and even hailed by some as the featherweight division’s G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time). Over the past few years, the former UFC featherweight champion has competed in the UFC bantamweight division.
Heading into the UFC 315 event, which transpires on May 10, 2025, Aldo was scheduled to face Aiemann Zahabi in a bantamweight bout. However, both fighters weighed in well above the non-title bout bantamweight limit at the official UFC 315 weigh-ins. Additionally, it was reported that their fight has been shifted from a bantamweight to a featherweight bout.
José Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 Will Be Contested at Featherweight
In an X post, veteran journalist Ariel Helwani alluded that the weight class change in the matchup transpired on the day of the official weigh-ins during UFC 315 fight week. Helwani suggested that the major change was brought about because Aldo was unable to cut down to the bantamweight limit.
Helwani tweeted, “UFC changed the Jose Aldo x Aiemann Zahabi fight this am when it became clear Aldo wasn’t going to make weight. Zahabi weighed 142 and Aldo 143 moments ago. Fight was originally slated to be a bantamweight bout.”
As noted, Zahabi weighed in at 142 pounds, whereas Aldo weighed in at 143 at the official UFC 315 weigh-ins. And as a result, their fight, which was to be held in the bantamweight (135-pound) division, has been shifted to the featherweight (145-pound) division.
The non-title bout bantamweight limit is 136 pounds, while the non-title bout featherweight limit is 146. Anyone whose weight exceeds the aforementioned numbers can’t compete in that division in the given matchup.
A Look at Aldo’s Recent Form Ahead of His Return at UFC 315
Brazil’s Aldo is often praised for his unbeaten streak that lasted for around a decade, beating the very best in the featherweight division. He lost his UFC featherweight belt via knockout against Conor McGregor in December 2015, but Aldo bounced back by capturing the interim featherweight belt and was promoted to be the featherweight champion again. However, he subsequently lost the title to Max Holloway.
“Scarface” aka “King of Rio” later moved down in weight and competed for the UFC bantamweight title once, albeit he was knocked out by Petr Yan. After a brief retirement in 2022, Aldo returned to the sport in 2024 and is 1-1 since his comeback. His latest Octagon appearance witnessed him suffer a split decision defeat against Mario Bautista last October.
On the other hand, Zahabi, the younger brother of legendary MMA trainer Firas Zahabi, is on a five-fight win streak and is fresh off a unanimous decision victory against Pedro Munhoz, whom he bested last November.