Before Jose Aldo became one of the greatest featherweights to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he was just another fighter with an impressive record making his debut on American soil.

Boasting an impressive record of 10-1, Jose Aldo made his WEC debut in 2008 against Alexandre Franca Nogueira. Former WEC commentator Frank Mir knew there was something special about Aldo the moment he saw him.

“Different level,” Mir told MMA Fighting. “That guy was on a different level. I saw that the first time he started moving around.”

Mir sat ringside as he watched Aldo grow into the main-eventer he is today. The former UFC heavyweight champion recalls a fight from 2006 where Aldo decimated Jonathan Brookins for two rounds before finishing him in the opening minute of the third.

“I remember one time watching Jose Aldo fight Jonathan Brookins, and he just chopped him up,” Mir said. “And I remember sitting there and they’re like, ‘Well, you know what, don’t send an interpreter in there. It takes too much time.’ We’re down in Florida and they’re sitting there, and I grabbed one of the powers that be and went, ‘That’s your future champ. I think we should interview him regardless of how difficult it is.’ I called that the first time I’d ever saw him move.”

Mir wasn’t wrong; Just four fights later, Aldo would go on to dethrone Mike Brown for the WEC Featherweight Championship. Aldo has gone undefeated since then, defeating the likes of Urijah Faber, Kenny Florian, Frankie Edgar, and Chad Mendes.

If Conor McGregor defeats Jose Aldo when they fight, could he go down as one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history?

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