Jose Aldo On Chad Mendes: ‘I Don’t See Anything Different In Him’
Featherweight champion Jose Aldo will look for his seventh-straight UFC title defence on October 25 when he faces Chad Mendes in the main event of UFC 179. The bout is a rematch from their previous encounter in 2012 where Aldo stopped Mendes with a first round knockout.
Heading into their rematch in Rio De Janeiro, the champion doesn’t see any difference in the challenger and thinks the results will be the same this time around:
“The only different thing now is the age. The rest remains the same,” Aldo media at a UFC 179 media day. “I’m more experienced now, so I know what to do. I don’t see any difference in him. He beat guys that weren’t well ranked, but he deserves (another title shot). He’s one of the best in this division, but I will go there and beat him.”
Since his loss to Aldo at UFC 142, Mendes has rattled off five straight wins which include four consecutive knockouts over Cody McKenzie, Yaotzin Meza, Darren Elkins and Clay Guida. But, that doesn’t impress the Brazilian.
“He hasn’t fought anyone ranked, and I’ve been fighting all the challengers,” he said. “But I’m going back to the gym, get my strategy ready and defeat him one more time.”
Mendes’ striking skills may have dramatically improved with the addition of Duane “Bang” Ludwig to Team Alpha Male but Aldo seriously doubts that he will abandon his wrestling routes to stand up with him in the rematch.
“I don’t think he will, but I really hope he does,” he said with a laugh. “That’s the only way, actually, he doesn’t have much choice. I respect his wrestling, that’s his home, but it’s hard to take me down. He will have to fight me standing.”
How do you think Mendes will fair the second time round?
