Former two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo retired from fighting shortly after his UFC 278 decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022.  On Saturday, "The King of Rio" came out of retirement to take on 12th-ranked Jonathan Martinez in a bantamweight bout that served as the UFC 301 co-main event.  

Martinez entered the bout riding a six-fight winning streak and seven years younger than Aldo.  Deep in hostile territory, Martinez was looking to take out the Brazilian icon at Farmasi Arena, in Rio de Janeiro.  

Aldo inched forward and Martinez pawed with his jab in the early going of the opening round.  Martinez connected with a leg kick and Aldo responded with a right hand to the body.  Aldo pressed forward and landed a right hand.  Midway through the frame, Aldo pressed forward with a combination but Martinez moved out of the way.  Martinez delivered a kick to the body and Aldo continued to press forward.  Aldo connected with a quick right hand.  Aldo landed to the body before going to the jaw with a right hand.  Aldo looked sharp in the first round.  MMAWeekly scored the round for Aldo 10-9 due to cleaner strikes.  

Aldo connected first in the second frame with a leg kick.  Martinez reacted with a high kick that was blocked.  Aldo ripped the body with a combination. Martinez closed the distance and looked to get the fight to the ground.  With his 92% takedown defense, Aldo defended the attempt and the referee separated them.  Aldo landed a straight right hand.  Martinez landed a left hand.  Aldo responded with a clean right hand.  Martinez connected with his jab.  Aldo continued to target the body of Martine.  Martinez began pressuring Aldo and landed a right hand.  Martinez connected again with a right hand.  Aldo immediately fired back.  It was a competitive round but MMAWeekly scored the round for Aldo 10-9.  

Between rounds, Martinez' corner told him that he has to pick up the pace or he's going to lose.  Martinez initially pressured Aldo, but Aldo met him with a right hand.  Martinez delivered a kick to the body and continued to pressure Aldo.  Aldo ducked under a punch and briefly looked for a takedown.  Martinez listened to his corner and picked up the pace.  Aldo delivered a combination but Martinez continued to move forward.  They stood in front of each other and looked for an opening.  Martinez missed with a spinning back fist.  Aldo connected with a left hand that hurt Martinez.  Martinez' legs were wobbly.  Aldo changed levels and slammed Martinez to the canvas.  

It was the first takedown in a fight for Aldo in years.  Aldo moved to half guard and delivered short punches to the body.  Martinez worked his way back to full guard.  Martinez threw strikes from the bottom but Aldo maintained top control.  MMAWeekly scored the round for Aldo.

The judges agreed with all three scored the fight for Aldo resulting in a unanimous decision.  The scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27.