The name Jose Aldo will, for many, conjure the seconds of ingrained footage of Conor McGregor bouncing back and forth before knocking out the Brazilian back in 2015.
The way he tensed up, the months of animosity fuelled by McGregor’s verbal onslaughts coursing through his body for 13 seconds.
And then the heartbreaking realisation about what had just happened as he regathered his consciousness. Aldo’s story will always feature this nightmare chapter, there’s no escaping that.
Jose Aldo (Pictured) will go down in history as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time
Aldo was the first featherweight champion in the UFC and defended his belt seven times
The KO defeat by Conor McGregor was the low point among plenty of highs in Aldo’s career
But as the King of Rio calls time on his glittering career, we can reflect on his legacy and achievements as a whole.
He is destined for the Hall of Fame and will never have to buy himself a beer again back home.
One hopes in time that McGregor moment will become a footnote for the 36-year-old, who in his prime was the scariest 145-pound fighter ever.
Current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has already been among those to pay his respects.
‘Wish nothing but the best to the Featherweight Goat,’ wrote the Australian and every MMA fighter will surely echo those sentiments.
Aldo rose from the favelas of Manaus to the pinnacle of mixed-martial-arts. His first love was football but his harsh surroundings and constant beatings on the street inspired him to learn how to defend himself.
Aldo’s striking was superb and he was almost unbeatable for a golden period of time
Aldo just welcomed his third child into the world and has called time on his fighting career
The facial scar across his cheek originated from his childhood, though not at the hands of violent thugs.
When he was a baby, his eldest sibling Joseline picked up his cot and threw it at another child.
Aldo was in it and landed face first on a lit barbeque, causing horrible damage. Perhaps growing up with such a wound hardened him, the surroundings certainly did.
He started training in jiu-jitsu at a young age and won an Amazonas state competition that led to his first trip to Rio to compete for four days.
Aldo saw enough in that short stint to know he’d do anything to return. ‘I started working two shifts a day with my dad,’ he previously explained.
‘I would go to school at night to try and save the money to buy a ticket to Rio. I wanted to come to Rio to train at ‘Dede’ Pederneiras’ gym. That’s when I started working and saving money to come. And, I succeeded.
The Brazilian, pictured here beating Uriah Faber, walks away from the sport after 18 years
‘When I first got to Rio I had absolutely no money.
‘All I had was one bag full of clothes. I brought everything I owned. I said I would only go back to Manaus when I was successful.’
He continued: ‘When I went to live in the favela I heard a lot of gun shots every day and night – something I’d never heard before. That was something that affected me a lot.
‘I left my home and my town to chase a dream. If today I am who I am and I fight the way I fight, It’s thanks to all the adversities I encountered in life.’
Aldo first started making a name for himself in World Extreme Cagefighting, which was a breeding ground for many of the talents that went on to grace the octagon in the UFC.
His first incredible finish came after an unbeaten start following five WEC contests.
Lining up against Cub Swanson, Aldo knocked him up with a double jumping knee just eight seconds into the fight.
Swanson is known for his durability but crumpled up into a ball and a huge gash was opened up above his eye.
Aldo’s kicks were almost like nothing the featherweight division had ever seen in the WEC
It was the kind of vicious and efficient striking Aldo became known for. He went on to win three more fights in WEC before the big boys called.
The next five years were the golden period in his career. Kenny Florian, Chad Mendes, Frankie Edgar, Chan Sung Jung and Ricardo Lamas were among the big names to fall short as Aldo defended his featherweight crown again and again.
Seven defences in succession elevated Aldo to the top of the sport and he was unquestionably among the UFC’s biggest stars.
We all know what happened next. Months of taunting and mental warfare from McGregor culminated – after one injury withdrawal – in the pair locking horns in 2015.
Their careers intersected at a time when the hype, fanfare and attention around the Irish upstart was rocketing along.
So to finish Aldo at his peak in such devastating fashion was an almost impossible pill to swallow for the Brazilian, who had wanted nothing more than to silence McGregor.
The Brazilian fighter recently lost a decision when he was outwrestled by Merab Dvalishvili
But the mark of a true champion is how they bounce back. Aldo revived his career by winning the interim belt against Frankie Edgar before being promoted back to full champion again.
From there, it was a mixed bag at featherweight and his time at the very top was over.
Two defeats at the hands of Max Holloway were followed by wins over Renato Moicano and Jeremy Stevens. He then lost to the man many now regard as the greatest featherweight, Volkanovski.
A move down to bantamweight beckoned and he lost a narrow split decision to Marlon Moraes before the formidable ex-champion Petr Yan saw him off.
With three losses in a row behind him, voices of doubt were growing, what did he have left in the locker?
Aldo answered resoundingly with three unanimous decision wins over high quality opponents. Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz and then Rob Font all found out there was life in the old dog yet.
But back in August this year, the younger, hungrier Merab Dvalishvili gave Aldo three rounds of energy sapping, soul destroying grappling and it seems the legend just does not want it anymore.
There’s always the chance Aldo will come back but for now he can reflect on a superb career
Aldo was one of MMA’s great champion and rose from the favela to accomplish his dreams
At 36, he walks away with 39 professional bouts to his name and the CV of a fighter far older. It has been a long, hard grind over almost two decades of elite competition but with the dust now settling, Aldo can reflect on a remarkable career.
He is undoubtedly one of the best MMA fighters ever who paved the way for those coming up now.
His leg kicks, takedown defence and instantly recognisable ‘Run This Town’ cage walk will leave lasting memories.
Aldo’s third child, a son he’s named Jose, has just arrived and now the Brazilian will focus on fatherhood.
Only he knows his long-term ambitions but for many fighters, the itch to compete is one that needs scratching. Often it never goes away.
But if we are never to see Aldo lace up the gloves again, it has be a ride unlike any other.
From the favela to the octagon and UFC immortality. Long live The King of Rio.
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