Jose Aldo respects Marlon Vera, but ‘playing tennis and footvolley’ enough to prepare for grappling match

Jose Aldo will face Marlon Vera in a submission-only grappling match Sunday in Ecuador under the Hype banner, marking Aldo's return to competition 17 months after retiring from the UFC. The two previously met in 2020, when Aldo secured a decision victory in his first bantamweight UFC bout against Vera.

Aldotold MMA Fighting that he has done minimal preparation for the grappling showdown, spending the past year-plus playing tennis and footvolley rather than training jiu-jitsu. Despite the light approach, Aldo expressed confidence in his abilities on the mat, citing a lifetime of grappling experience and early-career competition that saw him compete in jiu-jitsu nearly every weekend. "Everyone saw me in the UFC as a striker, but I've always been a high-level grappler," Aldo said. "I'm in good shape."

Vera, meanwhile, has remained active in the UFC, fighting three times since Aldo's last octagon appearance, including a recent knockout win over Charles Jourdain. Vera previously grappled to a draw with Jean Silva earlier this year in São Paulo. Aldo acknowledged Vera's conditioning advantage and submission prowess—the UFC fighter holds 10 submission wins in MMA—but downplayed the threat. Aldo noted that he would be more concerned facing elite jiu-jitsu specialists like Mica Galvão or UFC submission ace Charles Oliveira, but felt confident against a UFC fighter.

Aldoalso addressed concerns about competing at Quito's high altitude of 9,350 feet above sea level, drawing on observations of how the elevation affects Brazilian soccer players traveling to Ecuador for international matches. He said he expects the altitude to pose no significant problem. Ultimately, Aldo framed the bout as a low-pressure return to competition, emphasizing enjoyment over outcome. "I'm going much more just to have fun," he said. "Whether I get submitted or not, I'm fine with it."