ose Aldo’s coach responds to critics following UFC 218 loss

Jose Aldo still hasn’t talked since losing to featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 218, but one of his coaches has decided to open up.

Aldo’s kickboxing coach Emerson “Falcao” Vieira cornered the former 145-pound king in the main event of UFC 218 in Detroit on Saturday night, and watched his protégé finished in the third round, just six months after the third-round TKO defeat to Holloway in Rio de Janeiro.

Vieira didn’t address the rematch in his statement, but responded to critics Aldo apparently received from some Brazilian fans on social media.

“Many talk, few know,” Vieira posted no his Instagram. “This is the truth, Brazilians are used to idolizing crooks and crucifying heroes. It’s almost cultural. Who should be supporting us is pointing fingers, criticizing and judging without having any knowledge to talk about the topic. We’re used to fighting rivals and receive critics from the ones who were supposed be on our side.

“Yesterday, our champion Jose Aldo did his part, fought bravely against a really tough opponent, who was superior in the fight and won, like [Aldo] did for many years and still has what it takes to do. Sports are like this, nothing and no one will erase your story in life and in fighting. Your friends and teammates are proud of everything you’ve already done and will still do. Nothing changed. We lost a battle, but war continues.”

Aldo (26-4) dropped to 1-3 in his last four fights inside the Octagon, losing back-to-back fights for the first time in his MMA career. The former UFC featherweight champion now holds a 16-3 record under the UFC and WEC banners.