Current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski declared Jose Aldo as the featherweight GOAT recently after hearing of the Brazilian star’s retirement and he’s now explained why he thinks the former champ is the greatest fighter the division has ever seen, despite having a decision win over him.
“I still have him as the featherweight G.O.A.T just because [of] what he’s done for the sport,” Volkanovski said in a video on his YouTube channel. “So many defenses and stuff like that. I’m coming for that status, though. I’ll be honest, I’m coming for it, but yeah. He’s got it. He’s the man. He brought a lot of us into the sport. I still remember watching him before I even started and he was still competitive til now. Still right at the top, crazy legacy.
“A lot of times I think of how many times people thought he was done and dusted. He would have a loss and then come back and kick ass again and still look just as fast as ever. The reason why everyone loves him so much is obvious — he’s talented, very technical, skilled, but he’s very respectful. A true martial artist is what he is, a true marital artist. Very good skillfully, technically, explosive, you name it. Very respectful and things like that, so a true martial artist and I think that’s why a lot of people give him so much respect.”
“His career was just incredible,” Volkanovski continued. “Nothing but love to the man and I wish him nothing but the best. As I said, the featherweight G.O.A.T. I’m going to keep doing my thing and we’ll see what happens from there. But right now, he is the featherweight G.O.A.T and congratulations on a brilliant career.”
Watch Volkanovski’s full video about Aldo below.
