Jose
Aldo returned to competition Sunday, battling Marlon Vera
to a draw in a 10-minute grappling match at Hype Fighting in Quito,
Ecuador.
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer and the Ecuadorian
UFC bantamweight headlined the event, which also featured grappling
and bare-knuckle boxing bouts.
Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera battle to a draw in 10-minute
grappling match
Aldo returned to competition nearly 17 months after his final UFC
fight against Aiemann
Zahabi. The Brazilian was largely defensive early as Vera
pressured him toward the corner and looked for takedowns. The
action moved back to the center of the ring nearly six minutes into
the contest, where Aldo pulled guard. Vera then threatened with a
heel hook, but Aldo escaped the submission attempt.
The two returned to their feet and remained there until the final
horn. With neither fighter securing a submission, the bout was
declared a draw.
The event was also scheduled to feature former UFC interim
welterweight champion Colby
Covington. Organizers, however, announced that Covington fell
ill and was taken to a local hospital.