When did aldo fall out of his physical prime?

[TerraRayzing]

Was it before the conor fight or after? I think he was slowing down in the second Mendes fight. I remember him being knocked down for the first time and that was a pretty big moment back then.
He was definitely out of his prime during the two Holloway fights. That said, considering all his recent wins, out of his physical prime, really shows how incredible Aldo was. Legend.

 

[Midget Boxer]

Volk, conor, Max, Chito, Yan > aldo

 

[TheGreatA]

I never felt like he was ever as fast and explosive in the UFC as he was in WEC, but obviously he gained some skill and experience which compensated for the loss in speed and reflexes. Nagging injuries also seemed to make him less and less willing to utilize kicks and knees, which were probably his most devastating weapon.

 

[TheAmericanGazelle]

It was clearly before the Conor fight, although he was definitely not "washed", simply post-prime but pre-washed.

The best versions of Aldo (overall, not strictly physical) were the end of WEC and the start of 145 in the UFC.

 

[HaulParris]

Volk, conor, Max, Chito, Yan > aldo

Chito?

 

[pamirec]

He wasn’t the best Aldo when he faced Conor imo.

 

[Hitbank]

Conor KTFOed the prime out of Aldo

 

[HuskySamoan]

I never felt like he was ever as fast and explosive in the UFC as he was in WEC, but obviously he gained some skill and experience which compensated for the loss in speed and reflexes. Nagging injuries also seemed to make him less and less willing to utilize kicks and knees, which were probably his most devastating weapon.

I think also the Hominick fight had a huge impact on Aldo, a guy he should have otherwise made light work out of but he ended up gassing and taking a real beating late in the fight. I think we began seeing a lot less dynamicism, less kicks and knees. Aldo became more boxing centric and reserved, the output and killer instict lessened from that point on.

But I generally agree with you, just wanted to add that.

 

[Flower2dPeople]

Volk, conor, Max, Chito, Yan > aldo

 

[Peruvian Necktie]

Good point about Mendes, though Aldo looked good against Frankie 2

 

[Young Calf Kick]

Aldo fans will come up with every mental gymnastic exercise known to man just to not give McGregor credit for knocking him out and breaking that run.

 

[Pornzema]

Mendes beat the prime outta him

 

[So Fresh]

His physical prime I think even before the mendes fights. Maybe even early in his UFC run.

 

[13Seconds]

Mendes beat the prime outta him

Came in here to say this. Mendes has alot to do with Aldo decline. Along with foot injuries, rough weight cuts and hard camps.

 

[corrupted]

I think also the Hominick fight had a huge impact on Aldo, a guy he should have otherwise made light work out of but he ended up gassing and taking a real beating late in the fight. I think we began seeing a lot less dynamicism, less kicks and knees. Aldo became more boxing centric and reserved, the output and killer instict lessened from that point on.

But I generally agree with you, just wanted to add that.

This is when I noticed it. The Aldo that came over to the UFC from WEC didn't last so many fights. On his night still a stud. But never as dynamic.

 

[StunGUNsEXYAMA**]

Should have went to 155..

Going to 135 was dumb

 

[fortheo]

I feel like he peaked physically around the first Edgar fight personally, but honestly, his technique was still improving all the way to the end of his career

 

[Dana's Moonface]

Before the rematch with Mendes
All respect to Mendes, but he shouldn't have been able to go 5 full rounds with Aldo striking

It was a real slow regression. Perhaps his body was beginning to break down really early, but he is such a skilled fighter he carried on and adapted

I think of Boxers like Floyd and Joe Calzaghe who had serious hand problems. Joe's were that bad even from his amateur days, he never believed he would turn pro

You can see a clear difference in Floyd's style as he aged and moved up in weight. Yes he was fighting bigger opponents and played it more safe, but rarely would he ever let his punches really fly due to his hand issues

In Joe's case, he would slap more and put much less power in his shots. He could Floor Iron chin Eubanks early on his career, but couldn't drop Lacy despite hitting him over 1000 times?

Aldo was much more aggressive in his WEC and Early UFC days. He was literally a punching and kicking machine

 

[CroCopsLHK]

McGregor imo

 

[TerraRayzing]

Before the rematch with Mendes
All respect to Mendes, but he shouldn't have been able to go 5 full rounds with Aldo striking

It was a real slow regression. Perhaps his body was beginning to break down really early, but he is such a skilled fighter he carried on and adapted

I think of Boxers like Floyd and Joe Calzaghe who had serious hand problems. Joe's were that bad even from his amateur days, he never believed he would turn pro

You can see a clear difference in Floyd's style as he aged and moved up in weight. Yes he was fighting bigger opponents and played it more safe, but rarely would he ever let his punches really fly due to his hand issues

In Joe's case, he would slap more and put much less power in his shots. He could Floor Iron chin Eubanks early on his career, but couldn't drop Lacy despite hitting him over 1000 times?

Aldo was much more aggressive in his WEC and Early UFC days. He was literally a punching and kicking machine

Agreed. Aldo seemed like several steps behind his peak in the second Mendes fight. He was young but in fight years, he was in his 40s. And as other people mentioned, the injuries were a factor as well.
I was stunned when Mendes knocked him down. Underrated surreal moment, imo. When that happens, you know the fighter is declining.