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UFC 307 SHOCKER: The Controversial Split Decision That Rocked José Aldo’s Return Against Mario Bautista

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The highly-anticipated return of a legend often comes with immense pressure, but few could have predicted the sheer controversy that followed the clash between rising star Mario Bautista and the iconic José Aldo. As of this current date, December 19, 2025, the shadow of their pivotal Bantamweight bout at UFC 307 continues to loom large over the division, igniting a fierce debate among fans, analysts, and fellow fighters over one of the most disputed scorecards in recent memory. This deep dive unpacks the fight's razor-thin margins, the controversial split decision, and the long-term career implications for both a burgeoning contender and a revered UFC Hall of Famer.

The matchup, which saw the veteran "King of Rio" take on the tenacious American prospect, was a classic "passing of the torch" narrative—until the judges' scorecards were read. The resulting split decision victory for Bautista has become a flashpoint, symbolizing the complex and often subjective nature of judging in mixed martial arts. It was a fight defined by the contrast between Aldo's famed striking power and Bautista's relentless wrestling and clinch control, a stylistic clash that ultimately left the MMA world divided.

Mario Bautista vs. José Aldo: Full Fighter Biographies and Records

Before dissecting the controversial moments of UFC 307, understanding the career trajectories of both men is essential. This was a fight pitting a legendary resume against a surging win streak.

Mario Bautista: The Bantamweight Contender

  • Full Name: Mario Alberto Bautista
  • Nickname: N/A
  • Nationality: American
  • Born: July 1, 1993 (Age 32 as of late 2025)
  • Height: 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
  • Weight Class: Bantamweight (135 lbs)
  • Association: MMA Lab
  • Professional MMA Record (Approx.): 16 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
  • Key Style: High-volume striking, relentless wrestling, and clinch control.
  • Recent Form: Entered the Aldo fight on a significant win streak, establishing himself as a top-15 contender.

José Aldo: The UFC Hall of Famer

  • Full Name: José Aldo da Silva Oliveira Junior
  • Nickname: Junior, King of Rio
  • Nationality: Brazilian
  • Born: September 9, 1986 (Age 39 as of late 2025)
  • Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
  • Weight Class: Featherweight (Former Champion), Bantamweight
  • Association: Nova União
  • Professional MMA Record (Approx.): 32 Wins, 10 Losses, 0 Draws
  • Key Style: Elite Muay Thai striking, devastating leg kicks, and impeccable takedown defense.
  • Legacy: Former undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion, widely considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. The Bautista fight was his second contest after a brief retirement.

The UFC 307 Showdown: Breakdown of the Controversial Split Decision

The highly anticipated Bantamweight clash took place at UFC 307 on May 4, 2024, marking José Aldo’s second fight back from a brief retirement. The stakes were high, with the winner expecting a significant jump in the Bantamweight rankings and a potential shot at the division's elite.

Round-by-Round Analysis: Wrestling vs. Striking

The three-round contest was a perfect microcosm of the classic MMA dilemma: what is more valuable, control or damage?

  • Round 1: Bautista's Control. Bautista came out with high volume, pressing Aldo against the fence and utilizing significant clinch control. While Aldo defended well and landed solid counter-shots, Bautista’s positional dominance and activity were enough for at least one judge to score the round in his favor. This round set the tone for the fight's scoring ambiguity.
  • Round 2: Aldo's Striking. The former champion found his rhythm, showcasing his trademark striking prowess. Aldo landed the cleaner, more powerful, and arguably more damaging strikes, visibly rocking Bautista at least once. This round was a clear victory for Aldo on most unofficial scorecards, highlighting his superior striking accuracy and power.
  • Round 3: The Deciding Factor. The final round was the most contested. Bautista returned to his grappling-heavy approach, securing takedowns and maintaining top control for extended periods. Aldo, however, continued to land effective strikes, especially on the break and during stand-up exchanges. The judges were forced to weigh Bautista's time of control against Aldo's impactful striking.

The official result was a Split Decision victory for Mario Bautista (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). This meant two judges scored the fight 29-28 for Bautista, while one scored it 29-28 for Aldo. The key to Bautista's victory lay in the judges' prioritization of his wrestling control and cage pressure in the first and third rounds over the perceived damage inflicted by Aldo.

The Aftermath: Cries of "Robbery" and the Future of Both Fighters

The announcement of the split decision was immediately met with a chorus of boos from the crowd and widespread outrage across social media and the MMA community. The term "robbery" was frequently used, with many analysts and fans arguing that the damage and effective striking landed by the UFC Hall of Famer should have outweighed Bautista's control time.

The Controversy Explained: Damage vs. Control

The fight perfectly encapsulated the ongoing debate about the unified rules of MMA judging. Aldo's supporters argued that the criteria prioritize Effective Striking and Grappling (damage and immediate impact) above all else, and Aldo clearly landed the more impactful shots. Bautista's supporters, and the two judges who scored for him, focused on the criteria of Effective Aggressiveness and Cage Control, where Bautista's constant pressure, takedown attempts, and clinch work were dominant factors. The result highlights the subjective nature of scoring close rounds, especially when one fighter controls the position and the other controls the damage.

What’s Next for Mario Bautista?

Despite the controversial nature of the win, Mario Bautista secured a massive name on his resume and a spot firmly within the top 15 of the Bantamweight division. His momentum continues, as he is currently slated to headline a future UFC Fight Night event. His next challenge is a main event bout against Vinicius Oliveira on February 7, 2026, at the UFC Apex. A convincing win over Oliveira would silence the critics and solidify Bautista's position as a legitimate contender in one of the UFC's most stacked divisions.

What’s Next for José Aldo?

For José Aldo, the controversial loss to Bautista was a heartbreaking setback in his quest for a final title run at Bantamweight. The loss, unfortunately, contributed to a final decision regarding his career. Following the Bautista fight, Aldo competed again but ultimately decided to step away from the sport. Reports indicate that José Aldo officially announced his retirement from MMA, stating that no fight would convince him to return to the Octagon. This final retirement marks the end of an era for one of the sport's true legends, whose final chapter was marred by a contentious decision at UFC 307.

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The Bantamweight division remains one of the most exciting and competitive in the UFC, constantly producing fights with razor-thin margins. The Bautista-Aldo fight is now a permanent part of the division's history, alongside other memorable bouts involving stars like Sean O'Malley, Merab Dvalishvili, and Aljamain Sterling. The discussion around the unanimous decision vs. split decision and the judging criteria for effective grappling versus effective striking will continue to define the sport. Bautista's win, though controversial, pushes him forward, while Aldo’s legacy as the King of Rio and a UFC Hall of Famer remains untarnished, regardless of the single controversial call at UFC 307.

mario bautista vs jose aldo
mario bautista vs jose aldo

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