Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo told media in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday that his fight with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 237 on May 11 could be in doubt. The Brazilian explained that he had a knee infection last week and was hospitalized for it. He said he was close to having to pull out of the upcoming bout.
“It all happened [last] Monday. I was having some wrestling practice and my knee got a little burned. A little bacterium got inside my knee,” Aldo said. “I got home and I had a fever. My knee on Wednesday was huge and swelling — that’s what took me to the hospital. The first session of antibiotics had no effect, but everything bad got out of my system by Saturday. I’m having one practice a week to come back strong.
“I couldn’t even put my foot on the ground. I couldn’t walk. I thought I’d have to pull out, I thought I wouldn’t make it. But Dedé and the doctor got me a little calmer,” Aldo said of his jiu-jitsu coach. “I thought when the liquid that was on my knee got out of there, I’d be back quickly. Then I got through.”
Despite the concern, Aldo is confident he will be competing in May. But there’s one thing left he must get: medical release.
“I’m still not 100 percent. I couldn’t possibly be,” Aldo said. “But I think I’ll be good to go. I was going to the doctor today, but I decided to do it tomorrow. Then I’ll talk to him and hope for the best.”
Aldo reigned over the UFC’s featherweight division for years and is considered by most to be the greatest ever at that weight class. He lost the belt to Conor McGregor in 2015, when he was knocked out in just 13 seconds. He competed for the belt again in 2017 but lost twice to current champion Max Holloway. Aldo is coming off two victories, against Renato Moicano and Jeremy Stephens, respectively.
Volkanovski, of Australia, is on a 16-fight win streak. He most recently knocked out Chad Mendes at UFC 232 in December.