UFC 142: Jose Aldo KO’s Chad Mendes to retain title
Jose Aldo is still the UFC Featherweight Champion, after defending his title for the third time with a devastating first round KO victory over Chad Mendes.
Aldo controlled the action inside the Octagon, not allowing Chad Mendes to execute his wrestling-based gameplan. Mendes had some success with leg kicks and one takedown that allowed him to take Aldo’s back, but this fight was all about the champion finally proving himself after two disappointing performances against Kenny Florian and Mark Hominick. Aldo’s kick dropped Chad Mendes like a sack of potatoes, as the referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the action just a few seconds before the end of Round 1.
The fight will be also remembered for Jose Aldo‘s celebration. As soon as the referee stopped the fight, triumphant Aldo ran outside the Octagon to celebrate with the ecstatic crowd at the HSBC Arena in Rio. It took several minutes before Aldo returned to the cage, not before congratulating his friends and teammates in the attendance.
Jose Aldo improves his MMA record to 21-1, extending his current winning streak to fourteen. The UFC Featherweight still has a few fights to offer for Aldo, with the winner of Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski (UFC 144), or the currently postponed Dustin Poirier vs. Erik Koch most likely to get the next shot.
