J. Aldo (left) and C. Mendes (right) fight for the featherweight belt this Saturday (25). Photo: Reproduction
With nine champions in its history, Brazil is the second country with the most UFC titles, behind only the United States. During the second half of 2012, four of the current champions in the largest MMA organization on the planet were Brazilian. However, the situation is currently very different, and this Saturday (25), in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Manauara José Aldo will defend against Chad Mendes, in the main fight of UFC Rio 5, which is the last remaining Tupiniquim belt.
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In addition to national responsibility, the fight also awakens a very personal commitment in Aldo. This because Chad Mendes He is an old acquaintance of the champion, having been defeated by him by knockout at UFC Rio 2 in January 2012, and represents the Team Alpha Male team, Nova União's main rival academy – academy in Manauara. The tension between the two reached its peak last August, at a promotional event, when the Brazilian, always calm and averse to controversy, pushed the North American during a face-off.
Aware of his mission when he steps into the octagon at the Ginásio do Maracanãzinho, a historic stage for MMA events (the precursor to MMA) in the past, Aldo himself tried to reassure the fans and guarantee that the title will stay in Brazil. “Many tried and failed. So, you can rest assured that this belt will stay here”, assured the featherweight champion shortly after the official weigh-in for the event, on Friday (24).
Mendes, in turn, promised that the fight will be different from what happened at UFC Rio 2, in August 2012, when Aldo won by knockout in the first round. “A lot has changed, it's difficult to say here, but I realized the mistakes of the first fight and I'm ready for this battle”, he declared.
After defeat to Jon Jones, Glover seeks rehabilitation against Phil Davis
The co-main fight of the night at Maracanãzinho will mark the meeting of two members of top-10 in the light heavyweight category, with a weight limit of up to 93 kg. After being defeated in an unappealable way by the champion Jon Jones in the division's title fight in March this year, the Brazilian Glover Teixeira returns to the octagon in search of recovery. But anyone who thinks that the Brazilian will have an easy life is wrong, Glover's opponent will be very tough Phil Davis, currently sixth in the official rankings and with a record of 12 wins, two losses and one fight without result.
Maldonado, lucas mineiro and Diego Ferreira complete the Brazilian team
In addition to Glover and Aldo, three other fighters complete the Brazilian team for the UFC Rio 5 main card. They are: Fábio Maldonado, lucas mineiro e Carlos Diego Ferreira. After a frustrated experience in heavyweight, with the lightning knockout suffered to Stipe Miocic in May, Maldonado is back at light heavyweight and faces Dutchman Hans Stringer. Lucas Martins faces his first ranked opponent in Ultimate and has North American Darren Elkins ahead of him. Finally, the Brazilian based in the United States Diego Ferreira makes his debut in events in his home country against the Iranian Beneil Dairush.
Check out the complete UFC Rio card below, which will be broadcast on the Combate channel from 20:30 pm. Rede Globo only shows the main fight between Aldo x Mendes from 2am.
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 x Phil Davis;
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Fábio Maldonado x Hans Stringer;
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): Darren Elkins x lucas mineiro;
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Carlos Diego Ferreira x Beneil Dariush.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): William Patolino x Neil Magny;
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Yan Cabral x Naoyuki Kotani;
Flyweight (up to 57 kg): Wilson reis x Scott Jorgensen;
Featherweight (up to 66 kg): Felipe Sertanejo x André Fili;
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Gilbert Durinho x Christos Giagos;
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Fabrício Morango x Tony Martin.
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