J. Aldo (left) faces C. Mendes (right) again in August. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
On August 2th, José Aldo will have the first rematch of his MMA career. In the main fight of UFC 176, in Los Angeles (USA), the fighter will face Chad Mendes in the fight for the featherweight belt, repeating the fight that took place in January 2012.
In an interview with the North American website MMA Fighting, Aldo stated that he is not using the first meeting with Mendes as a parameter to prepare for the rematch. “That fight is over and we are preparing for a new fight. We will arrive very well trained, very well prepared to get in there and win the victory. For me, it doesn't matter if it's at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end [of the fight]. The important thing is to keep the belt. That’s what I think about and what we train for”, commented the fighter.
In the first fight with Mendes, Aldo scored a knockout in the final seconds of the opening round. However, the Brazilian was criticized for defending a takedown by Mendes, just seconds before the knee that ended the fight, by holding onto the fence, something prohibited by regulations. Aldo, however, is not bothered by the criticism. “I don't see any problem. People always try to talk. I think every athlete has held onto the fence and it was a momentary thing. I held him once, but he threw me to the ground three times and I got up. It didn't influence anything. The important thing is that I know what I’m capable of,” he replied.
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