Aldo prepares to weigh in again, this time with the help of the towel. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube
It was a bit scary, but José Aldo He made weight and is confirmed to compete for the featherweight belt this Saturday (25) against Chad Mendes, in the main fight of UFC Rio 5. In the first attempt on the scale, the Brazilian was a little over the division's weight limit, but with the help of the towel, and removing the shorts he was wearing, he managed to reach 66 kg, the same weight he achieved by Mendes.
UFC Rio:
- José Aldo wins war against Chad Mendes and keeps belt in Brazil
- Phil Davis nullifies Glover Teixeira and challenges Anderson Silva
- Belfort's pupil shines with submission on the preliminary card
In the face-off, unlike what the history between the two might suggest, the atmosphere was calm, although the fighters did not greet each other. After making weight, Aldo sent a message to the Brazilian fans and reassured fans about maintaining the country's only current title. “Many tried and failed. So, you can rest assured that this belt will stay here”, he guaranteed.
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Mendes, who was heavily booed during his entrance, chose to mock the public's demonstration and made a gesture asking the crowd to increase the volume. After making weight, the American spoke about his evolution since his first meeting with Aldo in 2012, in which he was knocked out by Manauara. “There is a lot of difference. I’ve improved a lot, I’ve seen the mistakes I made and I’m ready for this new battle,” he said.
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See the photo gallery with the main images from the weigh-in:
Maldonado and Glover make weight without any problems
Brazilian representatives in the two fights that precede the main event of the night, the light heavyweights Glover Teixeira and Fábio Maldonado passed the scale without any major problems. Glover, as well as his opponent Phil Davis, weighed 93 kg. Maldonado also reached the 93 kg division limit, while his opponent Hans Stringer weighed 93,4 kg.
Daffy and Magny have a tense look
One of the most tense moments of the weigh-in was the confrontation between the Brazilian William Patolino e Neil Magny. After passing the scale calmly, Patolino and Magny stared at each other and exchanged some harsh words, with promises of a hot fight this Saturday (25).
SEE TOO:
- Aldo's rival argues with fans during UFC Rio promotional action
- Team Aldo changes weight cut after scare with Renan Barao
- Aldo guarantees: 'I'm going to go up like a runaway truck'
Fight that opens the night has two athletes out of weight
The weigh-in did not start well for the athletes. Stars of the fight that opens the Rio card, North American Tony Martin and Brazilian Fabrício Morango were well above the weight limit for the lightweight category and now have one hour to reach 70,3 kg. Martin was 900 g overweight, but he is still in a more comfortable situation than Morango, who weighed 72 kg.
Check out all the results from the official UFC Rio 5 weigh-ins below:
MAIN CARD
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): José Aldo (65,8 kg) x Chad Mendes (65,8 kg);
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Glover Teixeira (93 kg) x Phil Davis (93 kg);
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Fábio Maldonado (93 kg) x Hans Stringer (93,4 kg);
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): Darren Elkins (65,8 kg) x lucas mineiro (66,2 kg();
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Carlos Diego Ferreira (70,7 kg) x Beneil Dariush (70,7 kg).
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): William Patolino (77,1 kg) x Neil Magny (77,5 kg);
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Yan Cabral (70,7 kg) x Naoyuki Kotani (70,3 kg);
Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Wilson reis (56,7 kg) x Scott Jorgensen (57,8 kg);
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): Felipe Sertanejo (66,2 kg) x André Fili (66,2 kg);
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Gilbert Durinho (70,3 kg) x Christos Giagos (up to 70,7 kg);
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Fabrício Morango (72 kg) x Tony Martin (71 kg).
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