UFC 142 JOSE ALDO VS. CHAD MENDES
UFC 142 Preview: Main Event
By: Chris Palma
Emanating from the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janiero, the UFC’s second installment in Brazil in as many years, promises us an exciting card which showcases what is perhaps Brazil’s top young talent, featherweight kingpin Jose “Scarface” Aldo (20-1, 2-0 UFC). Aldo takes on undefeated wrestler, and Team Alpha Male representative, Chad “Money” Mendes(11-0,2-0 UFC).
This bout will mark the first time since early 2007 in which Aldo, a native of Manaus, Brazil, will fight in front of his fellow countrymen. Since, Aldo has had a meteoric rise to the top of the featherweight division, recording 10 consecutive wins with 7 of those wins coming by way of KO or (T)KO. Aldo has shown to be a force to be reckoned with while on the feet, where he has shown to have explosive knock out power with his hands, feet, and knees.
Aldo last appeared last October at UFC 136 against 3 time UFC title challenger, and tough veteran, Kenny Florian. This fight saw Aldo easily avoid the mat with the lanky challenger, and while the repeated take downs didn’t allow the champion to mount land any significant offense, he did enough to control the fight and earn the clear cut unanimous decision victory.
Mendes, a representative of Uriah Faber’s Team Alpha Male, comes into the bout with a perfect 11-0 resume. Since the UFC/WEC merger early last year “Money” has posted two clear cut unanimous decision victories. His first call up to the big show at UFC 126 came against tough veteran Michihiro Omigawa. This fight saw the former California PolyTech State University wrestler mix up his strikes and takedowns to frustrate his opponent and take the clear cut decision. He next call came last August at UFC 133 against BJJ black belt Rani Yahya. This bout saw Mendes use his wrestling in reverse, easily shucking off Yahya’s take down attempts while controlling the stand up, once again earning him self the clear cut decision victory.
REAL COMBAT MEDIA PICK:
Come Saturday night Chad Mendes will step into the Octagon against the toughest, and most dangerous opponent he has ever faced. Not only will this be Mendes’s first time under the spotlights of a UFC main event, it comes in his first fight out side of the United States.
If he can overcome the hype associated with this fight, he surely has to the tools to give Aldo a hard time. Undoubtedly the X factor in this fight will be Mendes’s wrestling, and the ability to put Aldo on the mat, where the sole loss of his career came via rear naked choke.
Knowing this, Aldo, a BJJ black belt, trained his wrestling in preparation for this fight with powerfull wrestler, UFC lightweight Gray Maynard. Expect that training to pay dividends with Aldo being able to avoid a majority of takedowns. Don’t be surprised if we see Aldo hit the mat, but there I expect him to avoid any serious damage, and easily scramble back to his feet. Standing expect Aldo to avoid using his powerful leg kicks early, as to avoid takedowns, when Mendes’s pace slows a bit. The explosive end to this fight will come via 4th round knock out compliments of the champ Jose Aldo.
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