- Ousted Brazil leader Jair Bolsonaro was spotted in Orlando and is reportedly staying at Jose Aldo’s mansion
- The 67-year-old has a number of supporters from the UFC, most notably Aldo
Ousted Brazil leader Jair Bolsonaro was spotted in Orlando after fleeing his country and reports say he’s been staying at former UFC champion Jose Aldo’s mansion.
A safe haven at Aldo’s?
Bolsonaro became the head of state in 2019 but his reign as Brazil’s president came to a dramatic end on New Year’s day when he was ousted by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known in Brazil as Lula, in the nation’s 2022 election.
Instead of conceding, Bolsonaro fled the country and was seen having a mini photo session with his supporters in Orlando, Florida shortly after. Gurbaksh Singh Chahal later reported that the controversial leader has found refuge at the Orlando mansion owned by Brazilian MMA legend Jose Aldo, the former UFC lightweight champion who had just retired in August 2022.
Bolsonaro has been dealing with an array of controversies, including, but not limited to, being an unapologetic nationalist and opponent of same-sex marriage, issues with environment protection laws, abortion, and immigration. He has also faced accusations of misogyny and homophobia.
New York Times reported Bolsonaro is planning to stay in Orlando for about a month while being under investigation for his term as Brazil’s leader.
Junior is an avid Bolsonaro supporter
Like in any other country, Brazil and its leaders also establish a great relationship with famous people in their country. Bolsonaro was one of them and he has had quite a lineup of UFC stars in his network. Topping that list is Aldo, the man in question in Bolsonaro’s sighting in Orlando.
It can be recalled that “Junior” even publicly expressed his support for Bolsonaro at the peak of the controversial leader’s successful campaign in 2018.
Obrigado pela consideração, Nosso Guerreiro e Campeão! Um forte abraço @josealdojunior pic.twitter.com/zfjwgMWpDN
— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) October 6, 2018
“This is José Aldo and I want to say to you that in this final stretch it is very important to support our captain Jair Bolsonaro,” Aldo said in the video. “We are together, captain!”
Other notable UFC stars supporting Bolsonaro are Darren Till, who even once famously said in Portuguese, “Lula in jail and Bolsonaro 2018,” Paulo Costa, Wanderlei Silva, Rafael dos Anjos, Royce and Renzo Gracie, and Warlley Alves.
How do you view José Aldo’s decision to invite Jair Bolsonaro, a controversial former Brazilian leader, to his home?
