Returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering a controversial split decision loss against Mario Bautista last year, featherweight legend Jose Aldo squared off with streaking Canadian standout Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 in Montreal.
Zahabi walked into the bout with five straight wins under the UFC banner and a secret weapon in his corner—former two-division champion Georges St-Pierre.
Round 1
Aldo comes out pressing forward with a high guard as Zahabi circles the Octagon. Zahabi finally gets the striking going a minute into the fight, offering a couple of jabs. Aldo throws a one-two, showing off his speed. Aldo is starting to walk him down after landing a solid right hand. Zahabi lands a stiff combination of his own, and Aldo responds with another right. Aldo rips to the body. Zahabi goes low with a kick to Aldo’s lead leg. Aldo gives him one right back.
Zahabi is putting Aldo on his back foot and lands a left hand against the fence. Aldo comes right back with a left of his own. Zahabi is standing in the pocket, trading with Aldo as we reach the final seconds of the round. Zahabi gets his teep kicks going and connects with a knee just before the horn.
Round 2
Zahabi comes out and quickly lands a knee to the body. Zahabi throws a couple of lefts. Aldo sets up to fire back, but Zahabi spins and gets out of danger. Zahabi lands with a pair of jabs, and Aldo tries to respond with a combination in close. Aldo rips to the body once again as Zahabi continues to keep his guard high. Zahabi with a left. Aldo counters with a right, followed by a jab, before eating one from Zahabi.
Aldo takes a low blow with 1:50 left, but the fight resumes after a brief pause. Zahabi appears to have a sizeable cut on the right side of his face as Aldo jabs at it. Zahabi throws another kick, and Aldo argues that it hit low again. Replay appears to show it hit Aldo’s belt line, and the fight resumes once again. Zahabi with a hard leg kick. Aldo tries to go back to the body. Zahabi connects with a stiff right hand in the closing 10 seconds. Aldo shakes his head no in response, but it was by far the most significant shot of the round.
Round 3
Aldo comes out swinging right away and clips Zahabi. A nice combination from Zahabi lands, and Aldo attempts ot respond with a knee up the middle. Zahabi offers up his own knee to the body and a punch up top. Aldo goes right back to the knee, landing one clean up the middle and sending Zahabi to the canvas. Aldo moves in for the kill, but Zahabi survives the onslaught and gets back to his feet.
Aldo is exhausted after going for the finish. Zahabi recognizes Aldo is tired and tries to mount a massive comeback. Aldo goes for a takedown, but he’s so exhausted, he just collapses on the mat. Zahabi gets on top with two minutes to go and throws some labored elbows. Aldo is doing just enough to avoid letting the elbows through his guard. Zahabi lands an elbow that cuts Aldo open with 40 seconds to go. Zahabi continues to alternate left and right elbows, but he’s unable to finish ‘Junior’ before the final horn.
Official Result: Aiemann Zahabi def. Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From José Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315:
JOSE ALDO HURTING ZAHABI IN THE 3RD ROUND #UFC315 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/8yV8Qp6gz7
— FEDZ_MMA (@Fedzmma) May 11, 2025
WHAT A FIGHT 👏 #UFC315
How did you score Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi?! pic.twitter.com/j1lkHFhhhl
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 11, 2025
WHAT. A. FIGHT. @Aiemannzahabi earns the UD victory against the legendary José Aldo. 👑 #UFC315
— Bodog (@BodogCA) May 11, 2025
