Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera draw in Quito grappling match

Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera fought to a draw in a 10-minute submission-only grappling match at the Hype Fighting event in Quito, Ecuador. The contest marked a return to competition for Aldo, who had been away from the ring for approximately 17 months since his last UFC appearance in May 2025.

During the match, Vera utilized the home-crowd advantage in Ecuador to pressure Aldo with takedown attempts during the first five minutes. After the fighters moved to the center of the ring, Aldo pulled guard, leading to the match's most significant moment when Vera attempted a heel hook. Aldo successfully escaped the submission attempt, and neither fighter was able to secure a finish before the time expired, resulting in an official draw.