Mendes (left) and McGregor (right) will finally face each other at UFC 189. Photo: Disclosure
One of the UFC's biggest events of the year will come with a bitter sensation for the most die-hard MMA fans. This is because the duel between José Aldo e Conor McGregor, one of the most anticipated fights of recent times and the main attraction of UFC 189, fell less than two weeks ago due to an injury to the Brazilian fighter.
Aldo injured his rib during training in the final fortnight of June, during a sparring session. His participation in the event was initially put in doubt, until the champion was cut off for good on June 30th. The UFC acted quickly and called Chad Mendes to replace him, in a fight that will put an interim title for the under-66 kg category at stake.
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However, if the main fight lost its appeal with Aldo's departure, there will still be no shortage of attractions for UFC 189. Just like the Brazilian, Mendes has an acid rivalry with McGregor, which fueled expectations for the fight and made the party of those who enjoy a provocation between athletes.
Furthermore, the combat also features several interesting points within the Octagon. For the first time in his UFC career, McGregor will face a wrestler of a high level, capable of testing his takedown defense and his ground game. A curious point is to see how the Irishman will put together his striking and movement when faced with an opponent who will inevitably try to take him down.
Mendes, on the other hand, will have to deal with the great disadvantage of his wingspan (1,67 m, compared to 1,85 m for McGregor), which could be a problem when it comes to closing the distance. Furthermore, the North American will need to show good physical preparation for a potentially 25-minute fight, especially as he accepted the fight with very little notice.
The one who will follow the fight closely is Aldo, who will meet his next opponent there in the fight that will unify the linear and interim weight titles – possibly still in 2015. If Mendes wins, the Brazilian will do the trilogy with his old acquaintance, whom “ gifted” with the only two defeats of his career. But, if McGregor wins, the long-awaited fight will return to the UFC's plans and will reignite public expectations once again.
There is also a belt on the co-main event
MacDonald (left) already faced Lawler (right) in 2013. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Although almost the entire UFC 189 promotion has focused on the main duel between the featherweights, the attraction will also feature another title fight that has everything it needs to make for a good show. Robbie Lawler will make his first title defense in a rematch against Rory McDonald, whom he defeated at the end of 2013.
Lawler's story is an example of overcoming in the career of an MMA athlete. The North American has gone through several ups and downs since he had his first fight in the UFC, more than 13 years ago, but recently he went on a good run until he won the title. The belt came in December last year, when he beat John hendricks in a tight decision by the judges.
On the other side is one of the great revelations of the welterweight division in recent years. Pupil of Georges St Pierre, MacDonald, 25 years old, already has victories over names like Nate diaz, B.J. Penn, Demian Maia, Tyron woodley e Tarec saffiedine. More than taking revenge on his last tormentor, MacDonald is also motivated to regain Canadian weight hegemony, as GSP held the belt in the 77 kg category between 2008 and 2013.
Look at Thominhas!
Thominhas (photo) is on the rise in the UFC. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
Without the presence of José Aldo at UFC 189, the focus of Brazilian fans turns to the country's now only representative at the event. Thomas almeida hopes to consolidate his rise in the Ultimate bantamweight category, where he has already made “noise” in his two appearances in the Octagon.
Thominhas, as he is known, is coming off victories over Tim Gorman and Yves Jabouin. Product of the Chute Boxe São Paulo academy, the 23-year-old will face the veteran Brad pickett, who will return to bantamweight after a stint at flyweight.
Pickett, 36, can be called the “gatekeeper” of the category, as his recent losses in the weight class have been to athletes who have actually shown themselves to be at the top: Renan Barao, Eddie Wineland and Michael McDonald. In other words, if he wins, Almeida will take his name even further to the “heads” of the division.
Check out the UFC 189 technical sheet below:
DATE AND TIME: 11/07/2015, from 19 pm (Brasília time)
PLACE: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, United States
STREAMING: Combat Channel
MAIN CARD
Feathers: Conor McGregor x Chad Mendes;
Welterweights: Robbie Lawler x Rory McDonald;
Feathers: Dennis Bermudez x Jeremy Stephens;
Welterweights: Gunnar Nelson x Brandon thatch;
Roosters: Brad pickett x Thomas almeida;
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweights: Matt Brown x Tim means;
Welterweights: Mike Swick x Alex Garcia;
Welterweights: Cathal Pendred x John Howard;
Roosters: cody garbrandt x Henry Briones;
Flies: Neil Seery x Louis Smolka;
Mild: Yosdenis Cedeño x Cody Pfister
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