Countdown To UFC 179: Aldo vs Mendes II
After a two-week hiatus, UFC 179 will go down next Saturday night (October 25, 2014) live on pay-per-view (PPV) from the Ginásio do Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The event features a bad blood-fueled main event rematch between featherweight champion Jose Aldo and No. 1 contender Chad Mendes. Aldo famously knocked out Mendes with only one second remaining in the first round of their first match-up at UFC 142 in January 2012.
The win was by far Aldo’s best UFC finish and part of his six-fight streak of title defenses in the octagon. But it’s also safe to say that Mendes is a much different fighter now, beating five straight opponents with four knockouts to earn another shot at “Junior.”
Mendes has become a dangerous and well-rounded featherweight under the tutelage of former Team Alpha Male head coach Duane “Bang” Ludwig.
He’s clearly evolved at a rapid pace, but Aldo has drawn a ton of criticism for failing to do just that. UFC President Dana White has blasted the dominant champion for coasting it in big fights, and even Aldo himself has admitted that he plays it a bit safe to hold on to the belt.
Mendes may be one of the few 145-pound fighters on the planet who could force him not to, and even if he gets past “Money,” a huge showdown with Conor McGregor will loom large.
That makes UFC 179’s main event a pivotal one that will shape the near future of the talented (And suddenly interesting) 145-pound landscape. Check out the full Countdown to UFC 179: Aldo vs. Mendes II below:
