Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi

strikevision1
May 6
2 min read

In this bantamweight clash, former featherweight king José Aldo returns to the Octagon to take on rising Canadian prospect Aiemann Zahabi. With momentum on his side, Zahabi looks to make a statement by scoring the biggest win of his career against a future Hall of Famer.

Profiles:

Jose "Junior" Aldo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Featherweight Champion, now competing in the bantamweight division. With a professional record of 31 wins and 8 losses, Aldo is widely considered one of the greatest featherweights in MMA history. Known for his lightning-fast hands, devastating leg kicks, and grit, Aldo continues to evolve his game as he eyes bantamweight success. This fight marks a key test of how much fire remains in the legend’s arsenal.

Quick Stats:

Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 38
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 70 inches
Team: Nova União
Stance: Orthodox
MMA Record: 32 wins, 9 losses
UFC Record: 14 wins, 8 losses

Aiemann Zahabi is a Canadian bantamweight fighter. With a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses, Zahabi is known for his technical striking, patience, and sharp counterpunching. After a few setbacks early in his UFC tenure, Zahabi has quietly built momentum and now finds himself with a golden opportunity to defeat a legend and earn a breakout moment.

Quick Stats:

Nationality: Canadian
Age: 36
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 68 inches
Team: Tristar Gym
Stance: Orthodox
MMA Record: 12 wins, 2 losses
UFC Record: 6 wins, 2 losses

Core Stats Comparison

Offensive Breakdown:

Zahabi has a slight edge in striking output, landing 4.06 significant strikes per minute compared to 3.53 for Aldo. Both fighters are evenly matched in striking accuracy at 46%, though Aldo’s timing and precision remain. While Aldo doesn't initiate much grappling, his 52% takedown accuracy and 0.53 takedowns per 15 minutes suggest he has the ability to mix in takedowns if needed. Zahabi, on the other hand, offers virtually no offensive grappling with 0 takedowns and a 14% takedown accuracy.

Defense Breakdown:

Defensively, both fighters are sharp. Zahabi holds the edge in striking defense at 71%, compared to 59% for Aldo. However, Aldo makes up ground in grappling defense, boasting a great 92% takedown defense, compared to Zahabi’s still-respectable 83%. In terms of durability, both fighters absorb a similar amount of damage per minute — Zahabi at 4.06 and Aldo at 4.12. While statistically minor, the difference gains relevance considering Aldo’s long career and history of high-impact fights.

Summary:

Jose Aldo enters this matchup with the deeper toolkit, particularly in grappling and cage experience. However, Zahabi’s sharper striking defense and slightly higher output could present problems if he manages to keep the fight standing and control range.

The bout may ultimately hinge on whether Aldo’s pressure, experience, and ability to vary attacks can overwhelm Zahabi’s calculated and defensively sound approach. If Aldo fights smart and mixes levels, he holds the edge — but Zahabi has the tools to make it uncomfortable if he stays disciplined.