Jose Aldo draws with Marlon Vera in grappling match
The former UFC champion returned to competition after coming out of retirement to face the Ecuadorian in Quito.
After more than a year away from competition, Jose Aldo returned to action on Sunday. The former UFC champion faced Marlon Vera in a submission only grappling match at Hype Fighting Championship, but could not get past the Ecuadorian. Aldo and Vera fought to a draw after neither fighter secured a submission in their 10-minute bout in Quito, Ecuador.
Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera Put on a Tactical Grappling Match
Aldo and Vera delivered a tactical match on Sunday. The Brazilian adopted a highly defensive approach at the beginning of the fight, defending the Ecuadorian's takedown attempts and conserving his energy. After six minutes of fighting for position and pummeling in the clinch, Aldo initiated the ground game by pulling Vera into his guard.
While on the canvas, Vera secured the most dangerous submission attempt of the night, locking in a tight heel hook on Aldo. The former UFC champion showed excellent defensive skills and technical awareness to slip out of the leg lock. Following the submission escape, the fight returned to the feet before the clock ran out, sealing the official draw.
Aldo came out of retirement to face Vera in his first competitive appearance since his UFC 315 loss to Aiemann Zahabi in May 2025. The Brazilian also had to deal with the altitude in Quito, which sits nearly 2,900 meters above sea level. Aldo acknowledged the difficulty of competing at high altitude while praising Vera after their grappling match.
"Chito is a great fighter, he represents this flag very well," Aldo said. "I tried to show you some ground game, but I felt a little short of breath. But I really liked it here and felt all the love from the people of Ecuador."
Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera Meet Again After UFC Fight
Sunday's grappling match gave Aldo and Vera another chance to face each other. The fighters had first met in an MMA matchup, when the Brazilian defeated the Ecuadorian by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 17 in December 2020.
Vera returned to action in Quito just weeks after defeating Charles Jourdain by TKO at UFC 331 in September. The Ecuadorian was competing in front of his home crowd but could not secure a submission against the former UFC champion.
The grappling match marked Aldo's first competitive appearance since returning from retirement, while Vera remains active in MMA following his recent victory over Jourdain.
