C. Mendes (photo) was defeated by Aldo in 2012. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Chad Mendes is exuding confidence for his second opportunity to win the UFC featherweight title. On August 2nd, at UFC 176, the North American will face, for the second time, the champion José Aldo, in the city of Los Angeles (USA).
The two fighters have already faced each other once, in January 2012. In a fight held in Aldo's land, in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian won with a beautiful knockout at the end of the first round. In an interview with the program “UFC Tonight”, on the North American broadcaster “FOX Sports”, Mendes praised his evolution since then. “When I fought him for the first time, I had two fights in the UFC. I would say 90% of my game was wrestling. My strategy was to knock it down and crush it. It was all I had. I didn't have a head coach. I'm a completely different fighter compared to what I was in that first fight. I grew, I matured, I improved my striking. On August 2nd, I want to show that I’m the man”, explained the fighter.
“I will beat Aldo. I'm very confident. It's my turn. I trained my whole life for this moment. Let's make history on August 2nd. It’s my time to show the world that I’m the best featherweight in the world,” he continued.
Since the fight in 2012, Mendes has won five victories, four of which were by knockout or technical knockout. Aldo performed three more times, achieving a technical knockout and two judges' decision victories.
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