José Aldo stands as one of the most iconic figures in mixed martial arts, known for his explosive fighting style, resilience, and a journey that took him from the favelas of Manaus to the pinnacle of the UFC. Here’s a deep dive into his personal life, career, earnings, and more—everything you need to know about the legend known as “Junior” and “Scarface.”
José Aldo’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | José Aldo da Silva Oliveira Junior |
| Nicknames | Junior, Scarface, King of Rio |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 1986 |
| Age | 38 years |
| Birthplace | Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Ethnicity | Afro-Brazilian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Turned Pro | August 10, 2004 (age 17) |
| Net Worth | $9 million |
| Salary (Recent) | Approx. $400,000–$550,000 per fight |
| Spouse | Vivianne Pereira Oliveira |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | Joanna, José Aldo III |
| Instagram Profile | @josealdojunioroficial |
Early Career
José Aldo’s journey began in Manaus, where he grew up in poverty and faced constant street fights, leading him to train in capoeira and later Brazilian jiu-jitsu. At 17, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with almost nothing, determined to make it in MMA. He debuted professionally in 2004, quickly building a reputation for his speed and knockout power, winning his first fight in just 16 seconds. His early years were marked by rapid success across various Brazilian promotions, setting the stage for his international breakthrough.
Professional Career
Aldo’s professional ascent accelerated in World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), where he captured the featherweight title in 2009. When WEC merged with UFC, Aldo became the inaugural UFC Featherweight Champion, defending his title a record seven consecutive times. He became renowned for his devastating leg kicks, crisp striking, and ironclad takedown defense.
Aldo’s reign included victories over elite opponents like Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, and Frankie Edgar. His 2015 loss to Conor McGregor ended a decade-long unbeaten streak but didn’t diminish his legacy. Aldo later moved to bantamweight, continuing to compete at the highest level, and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023. He briefly retired in 2022, returned in 2024, and remains active, still facing top contenders in 2025.
Wife
José Aldo is married to Vivianne Pereira Oliveira, a former professional Muay Thai fighter and Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt. The couple met at the Nova União gym in Rio de Janeiro and married in 2005/2006. They have two children: a daughter, Joanna (born 2012), and a son, José Aldo III (born 2022).
José Aldo’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, José Aldo’s net worth is estimated at $9 million. This figure reflects his long UFC career, championship bonuses, pay-per-view shares, boxing purses, and multiple endorsement deals.
Fight Purses
| Event/Fight | Year | Purse (USD) |
| UFC 194 vs. Conor McGregor | 2015 | $2,377,699 |
| UFC 200 vs. Frankie Edgar | 2016 | $1,055,833 |
| UFC 212 vs. Max Holloway | 2017 | $490,000 |
| UFC 218 vs. Max Holloway | 2017 | $230,000 |
| UFC 278 vs. Merab Dvalishvili | 2022 | $400,000+ |
| UFC 301 vs. Jonathan Martinez | 2024 | $400,000–$550,000 |
| Gamebred Boxing 4 vs. Jeremy Stephens | 2023 | $425,000 |
| UFC 315 vs. Aiemann Zahabi | 2025 | $400,000 (base pay) |
Endorsements
- 1XBET: Major betting company, Aldo has served as a brand ambassador.
- Patex Ecosystem: Blockchain and cryptocurrency platform, with Aldo as a spokesperson.
- Shineray: Automotive and motorcycle brand.
- Stake.com: Online gambling platform.
- Reebok: Former exclusive UFC apparel partner.
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Event/Year | Notes |
| Conor McGregor | Loss (KO) | UFC 194, 2015 | Lost featherweight title in 13 sec |
| Frankie Edgar | Win (UD) | UFC 200, 2016 | Interim featherweight title |
| Chad Mendes | Win (KO/UD) | UFC 142/179, 2012/14 | Two victories, both title fights |
| Urijah Faber | Win (UD) | WEC 48, 2010 | First WEC title defense |
| Max Holloway | Loss (TKO) | UFC 212/218, 2017 | Lost featherweight title/rematch |
| Marlon Moraes | Loss (SD) | UFC 245, 2019 | Bantamweight debut |
| Jonathan Martinez | Win (UD) | UFC 301, 2024 | Return from retirement |
| Merab Dvalishvili | Loss (UD) | UFC 278, 2022 | Last fight before initial retirement |
| Jeremy Stephens | Draw (Boxing) | Gamebred Boxing 4, 2023 | Boxing match |
FAQs
1. Who is José Aldo?
José Aldo is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist and professional boxer, best known for being the inaugural and longest-reigning UFC Featherweight Champion. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest featherweights and mixed martial artists of all time.
2. What is José Aldo’s MMA record?
José Aldo has a professional MMA record of 31 wins and 8 losses, with multiple title defenses in both the WEC and UFC.
3. What are José Aldo’s most significant achievements in MMA?
Aldo was the first UFC Featherweight Champion, held the title from 2010 to 2015, defended it seven times, and was also the last WEC Featherweight Champion before the UFC/WEC merger. He has notable victories over fighters like Urijah Faber, Frankie Edgar, and Chad Mendes.
4. How long did José Aldo remain undefeated?
After his first MMA defeat in 2005, Aldo went undefeated for over a decade, winning 18 consecutive fights until his loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 194 in December 2015.
5. Where was José Aldo born and what was his early life like?
José Aldo was born on September 9, 1986, in Manaus, Brazil. As a child, he was passionate about football (soccer) and later took up capoeira and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to defend himself from street fights. He moved to Rio de Janeiro as a teenager to pursue a fighting career.
6. What martial arts background does José Aldo have?
Aldo holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under André Pederneiras and has a background in capoeira. He excelled in jiu-jitsu competitions before focusing on MMA.
7. Who is José Aldo’s wife and how did they meet?
José Aldo’s wife is Vivianne, a purple-belt jiu-jitsu practitioner. They met at a gym in Rio de Janeiro, where both were training in martial arts.
8. What teams and coaches has José Aldo trained with?
Aldo has trained with Nova União under coach André Pederneiras, alongside notable fighters such as Renan Barão.
9. What impact has José Aldo had on MMA?
Aldo is considered a pioneer for Brazilian fighters, inspiring a generation through his discipline, professionalism, and technical skills. He is frequently cited as the Featherweight GOAT (Greatest of All Time) and has influenced training and strategy in the sport.
10. What are some of José Aldo’s accomplishments outside MMA?
Before focusing on MMA, Aldo won several titles in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including the World Cup (CBJJO) in 2004 as a brown belt, the Brazilian National Championship in 2003 as a purple belt, and a bronze medal at the World Championship as a blue belt.