At UFC Rio's open training session, Flamengo athlete José Aldo showed how much he's loved by fans, whether they're Flamengo fans or not. Excited to defend his title on home soil, the featherweight champion believes the support from outside the Octagon will give him even more strength to retain his belt.

Aldo was the last athlete to take the stage at the UFC Rio open training session and got the crowd, which was full of Flamengo shirts, excited. Aware that he will have a big responsibility in Saturday's fight (January 14.01), against the American Chad Mendes, he showed calm and excitement.

"I'm really excited to see this wonderful crowd at the fight. This electrifying crowd is showing us so much love, and I hope to reciprocate. I don't want to belittle anyone, but no one will take this belt away from me. I'll only leave up there without it dead. Fighting at home and defending my son, who is this belt, is very special. There's no way I'm losing this fight," said José Aldo.

Regarding UFC Rio being broadcast on free-to-air television, the champion was full of praise. After all, in addition to the fans who will be at the event, thousands of Brazilians will be able to see him in action.

"I hope everyone follows the fight. Having this wonderful crowd behind us is very important. I'm very prepared and I'll give my best. No one can take this victory away from me," said Aldo, trying to explain why the public, even fans of other clubs, identify so strongly with him.

"I think people identify with me a lot because of my life story. And I fight for them too," he concluded.