The crossover between the UFC and WWE continues to thrive under the TKO banner, and it was on full display when Jose Aldo shared a wholesome interaction with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Brazil. The former two-time UFC featherweight champion met Johnson during a fan event in Rio de Janeiro promoting Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana.
As fans already know, Johnson reprises his role as Maui, the shapeshifting demigod he originally voiced in the animated film. He stars alongside Catherine Laga’aia, who plays the title character, in the live-action remake, which releases this Friday.
Aldo attended the event with his entire family and introduced himself to Johnson despite being a legend in his own right. The Brazilian also presented Johnson with a special gift, saying, “I have a gift for you because I am a former UFC champion.”
Johnson immediately recognized the UFC icon and warmly greeted him. The former 10-time WWE champion said, “I know you! I was just talking about you today, they were asking me today about who’s your favorite UFC fighter. Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo. How are you?”
Jose Aldo met The Rock at a Moana event in Brazil and gave him a gift:
🗣️ “I have a gift for you because I am a former UFC champion.”
🗣️ “I know you! I was just talking about you today, they were asking me today about who’s your favourite UFC fighter.” pic.twitter.com/sKzwTj1RKp
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) July 4, 2026
By naming Aldo alongside Anderson Silva, Johnson made it clear that the Brazilian ranks among his favorite mixed martial artists. Aldo returned the compliment by praising Johnson’s portrayal of MMA legend Mark Kerr in last year’s biographical film The Smashing Machine. The encounter became even more heartwarming when Johnson posed for photos with Aldo and his family, including his wife, daughter, and son.
Johnson’s appreciation for combat sports is well documented. Although he built his legacy in professional wrestling, he has long been an avid follower of MMA. He famously appeared at UFC 244 in 2019 to present the inaugural BMF championship belt to Jorge Masvidal after his victory over Nate Diaz.
The interaction also drew attention online from wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, who pointed out that Johnson has followed MMA closely since the early Zuffa and PRIDE eras. Meltzer also noted that fellow WWE legends The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin shared a similar passion for the sport.
He wrote, “The idea DJ wouldn’t know Jose Aldo is ridiculous. I don’t know how much he keeps up with the current version, but he knew every top UFC and Pride fighter more than almost every celebrity. Austin and Taker were big fans as well.”
The idea dj wouldn’t know Jose Aldo is ridiculous. I don’t know how much he keeps up with the current version but he knew every top ufc and pride fighter more than almost every celebrity. Austin and taker were big fans as well https://t.co/VgwDJY6Khb
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) July 5, 2026
Aldo, meanwhile, remains one of the most accomplished fighters in MMA history. His reign as UFC featherweight champion spanned nearly a decade and featured dominant victories over virtually every top contender of his era. While his 13-second knockout loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 194 in 2015 remains one of the most iconic moments in UFC history, it often overshadows the extraordinary legacy he built before that defeat and the resilience he showed afterward. Aldo retired from MMA twice, with his second retirement in 2025 marking the definitive end of his legendary career.
His final appearance came at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, in Montreal, where he moved back up to featherweight and lost a closely contested, widely debated unanimous decision to Aiemann Zahabi. He finished his storied MMA career with a professional record of 32-10 and is widely regarded as the greatest featherweight champion in the history of combat sports.
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