Jose Aldo releases statement following UFC 218 loss to Max Holloway

Jose Aldo broke his silence.

The former UFC featherweight king suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time in his 30-fight mixed martial arts career, and released a statement three days after his third-round TKO defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 218 in Detroit.

Aldo, who replaced injured Frankie Edgar against “Blessed” in the main event on Dec. 2, in a rematch of their UFC 212 title bout in June, thanked his teammates and fans in a post on his social media.

“I only have to thank my family that I love for everything, and my team Nova Uniao, the best in the world, for making me great and champion, and [thank] my friends and fans that are always with me. Thank you all! I will be always optimistic because believing is the first step to making it happen."

Aldo (26-4) lost three of his last four fights inside the Octagon, snapping a perfect 15-0 run under the UFC and WEC banners.