Jorge Masvidal names Jose Aldo the greatest featherweight of all time
The former UFC BMF champion believes the Brazilian's accomplishments at WEC and UFC cannot be surpassed.
Jorge Masvidal has a clear choice when it comes to the greatest featherweight in MMA history. The former UFC BMF champion believes Jose Aldo's accomplishments at WEC and the early years of his UFC career put him above every other fighter who has competed at 145 lbs.
Jorge Masvidal Praises Aldo's Legacy
A professional fighter since 2004, Aldo joined WEC in 2008 and quickly established himself as one of the best fighters in the featherweight division. Over a year after signing with the promotion, the Brazilian defeated Mike Brown to become the featherweight champion, beginning one of the longest reigns in the division's history.
After defending his title twice in the WEC, Aldo became the inaugural UFC featherweight champion following the promotion's acquisition of WEC. In the UFC, Aldo went on to defend his title seven consecutive times before ultimately losing to Conor McGregor in December 2015.
By this time, the Brazilian had been undefeated for over a decade and was riding a stunning 18-fight winning streak.
Needless to say, Aldo is arguably one of the most accomplished featherweights of all time. For Masvidal, however, it's the Brazilian's combination of athleticism and well-rounded skills that makes his run at 145 pounds impossible to surpass.
Speaking on the Deep Waters podcast, the former UFC fighter said Aldo remains his clear choice for the featherweight GOAT.
"To me, it's Jose," Masvidal began. "I don't think nobody can surpass Jose. What Jose did at WEC and then what he did in the UFC, those early fights of him at 145, I don't think nobody can surpass that. He was just too incredible. Too much of an athlete that understood fighting every single position, could wrestle defensively, offensively, his jiu-jitsu was amazing, his striking. I think the best defensive wrestler ever. I think Jose is the best ever."
Jorge Masvidal Believes Prime Jose Aldo Beats Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway
Masvidal's assessment goes beyond Aldo's historical accomplishments. The former UFC fighter also believes that, during his prime years, Aldo could have beaten two other featherweight champions who eventually defeated the Brazilian.
"I think in his prime, he beats Volk, and he beats Max."
Aldo eventually moved down to bantamweight, where he fought for the title but lost to Petr Yan. In May 2025, after more than two decades competing at the highest levels of the sport, the Brazilian hung up his gloves, cementing a legacy at 145 pounds that remains one of the strongest in UFC history. For Masvidal, even with the achievements of fighters such as Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Aldo's peak at featherweight remains unmatched.
