Jose Aldo

Former Featherweight Champion José Aldo Has His Sights Set On Defeating Merab Dvalishvili At UFC 278 And Going For The Bantamweight Belt Soon After.

[Costa vs Rockhold](https://www.ufc.com/video/ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-countdown-co-main-event-paulo-costa-vs-luke-rockhold-slc) [Usman vs Edwards](https://www.ufc.com/video/ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-countdown-main-event-welterweight-championship-salt-lake-city) [Episode 6](https://www.ufc.com/video/ufc-278-embedded-usman-vs-edwards-2-costa-rockhold-salt-lake-city-episode-6) [Episode 4](https://www.ufc.com/video/ufc-278-embedded-usman-vs-edwards-2-costa-rockhold-salt-lake-city-episode-4) [Episode 3](https://www.ufc.com/video/ufc-278-embedded-usman-vs-edwards-2-costa-rockhold-salt-lake-city-episode-3) [Merab Dvalishvili ](https://www.ufc.com/news/merab-dvalishvili-cool-calm-and-collected-ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2) [Episode 2](https://www.ufc.com/video/ufc-278-embedded-usman-vs-edwards-2-costa-rockhold-salt-lake-city-episode-2) [ Leon Edwards](https://www.ufc.com/news/leon-edwards-finally-gets-his-chance-ufc-278-usman-vs-edwards-2-welterwight-title-main-event) [Episode 1](https://www.ufc.com/video/ufc-278-embedded-usman-vs-edwards-2-costa-rockhold-salt-lake-city-episode-1) [UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards 2](/event/ufc-278), Live From The Vivint Arena In Salt Lake City, Utah. “When I was at my lowest, my coach Dede (Andre Pederneiras), who’s like a father to me, has always been there for me,” Aldo said. After losing to the likes of McGregor, Max Holloway and current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, Aldo needed a change of scenery.

Merab Dvalishvili picked up the biggest win of his career with a decision over Jose Aldo at UFC 278 but once again he promised there's nothing that would ...

When Aldo finally unleashed his combinations, he was connecting with power and accuracy as Dvalishvili stepped into the pocket to meet him blow for blow. While Dvalishvili hadn’t scored a single takedown heading into the third round, his consistent work rate and relentless pressure had Aldo stalled out and slowing down. Aldo showed great balance as he stayed upright before fighting out of Dvalishvili’s grasp to reset the fight in the center of the cage. We have to do whatever we do, we have do our best. “This amazing guy, my brother Aljamain Sterling, he is the reason I’m stepping in here,” Dvalishvili said. The final scorecards read 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 all for Dvalishvili, who has now earned eight wins in a row.

Dvalishvili is now in prime position for a title shot in a division where his friend and training partner holds the crown.

"This is our job and whatever we do, we have to do best. Still, Aldo collapsed to his back in disbelief upon hearing the scorecards that created a touching moment between fighters as they hugged from their knees. Aldo (31-8) spent all three rounds successfully stuffing Dvalishvili's attempts at bringing the fight to the ground, save for a successful shot late in Round 3 that saw the Brazilian icon bounce right back up to his feet. But he may have created a problem as Dvalishvili inched closer to a potential title shot against teammate and 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling, who helped corner him for the fight. He made me humble and made me realize how amateur I was. Unfortunately for Aldo, the former featherweight king, his lack of offense failed to match the success he had on defense.