TLDR
- Jose Aldo returned to competition after 17 months, facing Marlon Vera in a 10-minute submission-only grappling match
- The match ended in a draw at Hype Fighting in Quito, Ecuador on Sunday night
- Vera threatened with a heel hook attempt, but Aldo escaped the submission
- Aldo last competed in UFC in May 2025 against Aiemann Zahabi
- Colby Covington was scheduled for the co-main event but did not compete
Sources: sherdog.com | mmafighting.com | mmamania.com
UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo returned to competition Sunday night, battling Marlon Vera to a draw in a 10-minute grappling match at Hype Fighting in Quito, Ecuador. The Brazilian fighter had been away from competition for nearly 17 months since his final UFC fight against Aiemann Zahabi in May 2025.
The submission-only match featured two familiar opponents who previously met in the UFC. Aldo defeated Vera by decision at UFC Vegas 17 in December 2020.
⚔️ Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera vs Jose Aldo end in a draw
The two competed in a submission only grappling at Hype FC Ecuador pic.twitter.com/vnzlzAJUfE
— Delinquent MMA (@DelinquentMMA) October 5, 2026
Vera Pressures Early, Aldo Escapes Danger
Vera, competing in his home country of Ecuador for the first time since 2012, controlled the early action. The 33-year-old spent the first five minutes attempting takedowns while Aldo remained defensive in the corner.
Nearly six minutes into the contest, Vera called Aldo to the center of the ring. The former UFC featherweight champion decided to pull guard.
The match’s most dangerous moment came when Vera went for a heel hook submission. Aldo managed to escape the attempt and avoid a finish.
Both fighters returned to their feet after the escape. They remained standing until the final horn sounded, ending the 10-minute contest.
With neither competitor securing a submission, officials declared the match a draw. The event featured both grappling and bare-knuckle boxing bouts.
Covington Replaced in Co-Main Event
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington was originally scheduled to compete in the co-main event. Covington was set to face local MMA fighter Mayton Perea in a submission-only match.
Event organizers replaced Covington at the last minute with Juan Albarello. The promotion did not provide an official explanation for the change.
One report stated that Covington fell ill and was taken to a local hospital. The UFC veteran currently holds a title with RAF promotion.
Perea, who signed with the UFC in September after a 45-second knockout at Dana White’s Contender Series, competed in the altered matchup. Albarello defeated Perea with a foot americana submission in just over two minutes.
Aldo retired from UFC competition following his May 2025 fight with Zahabi. The 40-year-old Brazilian has stated he remains open to competing in boxing.
Vera recently returned to winning form in the UFC. He defeated Charles Jourdain by technical knockout at UFC 331 in Los Angeles last month.
The event took place at Coliseo General Rumiñahui in Quito. Vera’s appearance marked a homecoming for the Ecuadorian fighter, who trains in the United States but maintains strong ties to his native country.
Aldo’s decision to compete in a grappling match represents a departure from traditional MMA competition. The former champion built his reputation primarily as a striker during his UFC career, holding the featherweight title for years before moving to bantamweight.
