Guess which UFC fighter made Forbes 2016 Sports 30 under 30, it may surprise you

By Russell Ess - January 5, 2016

It was a record year for the UFC and a breakthrough year for a few select fighters in the organization. While a young superstar Conor McGregor had a spectacular 2015 winning UFC gold, it was the man he beat that made Forbes Sports 30 under 30.

Jose Aldo at age 29 was the only MMA fighter of the 30 individuals in the sports category that was listed as one the “600 brightest young entrepreneurs, breakout talents and change agents in 20 different sectors.”

Aldo’s profile in the Forbes list read:

“Even with his UFC 194 loss, Aldo would still make any comprehensive list of great UFC fighters. He was the defending Featherweight UFC champion and was ranked #1 in official UFC pound-for-pound rankings. He also went a decade without losing a match since 2005 and reigned as a World Champion for 6 years.”

Aldo posted a response to being selected on the honorary list saying, “I have dreamed about a lot of things in my life. Being a champion in the fighting world, winning the belt and bein #1 pound for pound in the UFC, and as any brazilian, to play football in the Maracanã stadium. Thank God, I’ve been able to make these dreams come true. But I’ve never even tought of being in a Forbes list. This is why I’m so grateful and humbled for being selected as one of the most important people in the world under the age of 30. Being the only brazilian on the list and share this honour with other top notch athletes, like Steph Curry and Russel Wilson, feels amazing. I’m so glad that my career and my life story has inspired people not only in Brazil but in the whole world. I thank you for the support and I’m sure this is a good omen, because 2016 will be a year of glory and happiness. Let’s go!”

I have dreamed about a lot of things in my life. Being a champion in the fighting world, winning the belt and bein #1 pound for pound in the UFC, and as any brazilian, to play football in the Maracanã stadium. Thank God, I’ve been able to make these dreams come true. But I’ve never even tought of being in a Forbes list. This is why I’m so grateful and humbled for being selected as one of the most important people in the world under the age of 30. Being the only brazilian on the list and share this honour with other top notch athletes, like Steph Curry and Russel Wilson, feels amazing. I’m so glad that my career and my life story has inspired people not only in Brazil but in the whole world. I thank you for the support and I’m sure this is a good omen, because 2016 will be a year of glory and happiness. Let’s go!

A photo posted by josealdojunioroficial (@josealdojunioroficial) on

Will we see Jose Aldo get back to the top in 2016? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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