Jose Aldo’s Nutritionist Discusses His Cut to 135, Why She Thinks Legend “Had so Much Cardio”

Jose Aldo didn’t emerge from his bantamweight debut with a victory, but chances are silenced most, if not all of the folks expressing concern about his cut to bantamweight. So, how did the former featherweight champ make 135 so easily? And perform so well in his bout with Marlon Moraes?

Aldo’s nutritionist reflects on the star’s cut to 135

When Aldo announced his intention to drop to bantamweight, it immediately sparked concerns, including some from Dana White. After all, for years there was talk about the former featherweight champ moving up to lightweight, not down to 135.

Then, after a photo of Aldo was shared out of the star as he got ready to face Moraes, concerns fired around the internet. Aldo, meanwhile, insisted all was well, and it certainly appeared that way in his bout with Moraes. The Brazilian lost the fight via split decision, but many people had Aldo winning it.

Well, more recently, Aldo’s nutritionist Dr. Priscila Antunes spoke with MMA Fighting. Here’s some of what she had to say about Aldo’s diet and weight-cut prior to his bantamweight debut.

“He hates nutritionists,” Dr. Antunes said while reportedly laughing in the interview. “But he trusted me. Aldo is very focused, you know? He had nowhere to run, he needed a nutritionist this time. He couldn’t do it by himself. And his diet was pretty easy.”

“I think that’s one of the reasons why Aldo had so much cardio in his fight,” Dr. Antunes said. “Many athletes tend to follow a protein diet before the weigh-ins. I’ve had that experience before but I think it broke my athletes. When I did the ketogenic diet with him, it worked.”

The doctor’s comments are certainly in keeping with Aldo’s take on the situation, as he also said this:

“It was excellent. I never cut weight so easily in my life. It was way easier than everybody imagined. I knew it would be easy as soon as I started this diet months ago. I knew I would recover well and be strong to fight the next day. I was ready to fight five, 10 rounds if I had to.”

All signs point to Aldo fighting at 135 next

So, due to the comments above, as well as Aldo’s performance, there can be no doubt his next bout will be at bantamweight. Further, champion Henry Cejudo has been calling for a fight with Aldo, and White has said he’s open to the match-up. Even though Aldo officially lost his debut at 135. So, could we see Aldo fighting for another UFC belt in 2020?

Aldo announced he was making the drop to bantamweight after he lost by unanimous decision to now, 145 champ, Alexander Volkanovski in May.