UFC legend Jose Aldo claims Francis Ngannou committed harakiri, cites Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey example 

Jose Aldo had some harsh words for Francis Ngannou following the latter's heavyweight champion's departure from the UFC. It wouldn't come as a surprise, as the former featherweight champion has been a company man through-and-through and has delivered some of the best fights within the octagon.

Aldo's UFC run lasted longer than Francis Ngannou's entire MMA career, with 20 fights within the famed octagon and a promotional record of 13-7. Jose Aldo voiced his frustrations about 'The Predator' on the Trocação Franca podcast.

Here's what the former WEC and UFC featherweight king said on the podcast, translated from Portuguese to English by MMA Fighting:

"With all [humility], I think Ngannou shot himself in the foot. He had everything to [gain from signing] a great contract, the biggest [amount] in heavyweight [to date], but this desire to be a boxing champion or to fight in boxing? People see the top of the boxing pyramid getting paid big numbers but forget that the lower part is paid so little. I think the UFC has bigger salaries than boxing."

'Junior' then went on to say that Francis Ngannou wanting to fight Tyson Fury is like Aldo wanting to play professional soccer. He also noted that only 5% of footballers get paid big money.

"It’s like saying I want to play soccer because they get paid millions but forget only five per cent get paid millions, the rest make way below that. People say that the UFC doesn’t pay that well, but it does. That’s why it’s the biggest organization. You can make money like [big] boxers can. Conor [McGregor], Ronda Rousey. People say women don’t make money and she’s made it, right?”

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Jose Aldo set to rematch Jeremy Stephens at Gamebred Boxing 4

Following his retirement from mixed martial arts in 2022, Jose Aldo expressed an interest in boxing Floyd Mayweather. While a bout with arguably the greatest boxer of the modern era might be a stretch at this point, the former MMA featherweight king fought and won his first boxing bout against Alberto Emmanuel Zambrano in February this year.

In his second pro-boxing bout, Jose Aldo will meet his former opponent inside the octagon, Jeremy Stephens, who he will box for six rounds under the Gamebred banner. The organization, started by UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal, will host its fourth event on April 6th, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The card will also feature former UFC middleweights Ronaldo Souza and Vitor Belfort in the co-main event. In the main event, former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will take on boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. for eight rounds within the boxing ring.