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A man apart: Why Jose Aldo's fascinating story deserves our attention

A man apart: Why Jose Aldo's fascinating story deserves our attention

Over the years, I’ve learned some fascinating things about UFC featherweight Jose Aldo. Here’s a few, in brief:

  • - The Brazilian began his fight training, as a child, and in poverty, before using MMA to work his way into making a living for himself.

 

 

  • - Young Aldo was all but adopted by mentors BJJ legend Andre Pederneiras and three-time UFC heavyweight title challenger Pedro Rizzo.

 

  • - Unlike virtually all of his other UFC peers, modern day Aldo is a vocal critic of his UFC bosses like Dana White, and what he says is poor treatment and pay by the world’s top MMA promotion.

In addition to that, I’ve also seen scores of would-be private Aldo moments. I’ve watched Aldo play soccer on the beach with friends, sat with him as he laughed and ate with teammates, and rode along as the fighter visited and reminisced with family, and met him at airports as he traveled abroad.

I’ve never spoken with Aldo, personally. All those pieces of biography, character and intimate moments were delivered to me the same way they were to the entire world – through Aldo’s almost constant opening up to interviewers, documentary crews and his speaking up at press conferences.

All this has been quite compelling to learn and see, for me. And, even if you don’t agree that it’s all interesting, you’d have to admit that it’s at least a lot of stuff.

We get all of that “stuff,” because Aldo makes himself very available to media and fans. In so doing, he gives us a ton of discussion material.

Most weeks, Aldo gives some variation of his “Dana White doesn’t know what he’s talking about/I don’t care what Dana White thinks/aka. F the machine, man” protest stump speech. Other days, he’s getting into skirmishes with his UFC 179 opponent, Chad Mendes, or insulting the challenger and others, like Conor McGregor.

As a writer, I’ve relied on Aldo’s driving of news more than a little bit.

Many of my colleagues and friends seem to take a much different view. In fact, the conventional wisdom around Aldo seems to be developing that he's withholding, closed-off, and considers press coverage a nuisance.

I just don't don't see things that way. To me, the criticism that Aldo withholds access necessary to turn him into a states-side star, or that he lacks personality or compelling story makes about as much sense of Dana White’s bizarre criticism of his most dominant and longest-reigning current champ.

That is to say, not a great deal of sense at all. Of course, it isn't out of character for White to trash Aldo’s fight performances the way he does, given that the fighter insists on being a vocal critic of White and the UFC’s business practices.

Perhaps I'm missing something, but Jose Aldo’s story has intrigue and personality to spare. I’ll take a well-rounded human highlight machine, with a rags-to-fame back-story, who isn’t afraid to pick a fight with opponents or his bosses, any day of the week.

I’m excited for UFC 179 this Saturday in Rio, and Jose Aldo is the reason why.

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter