The next UFC Featherweight title fight is set, as champion Jose Aldo will face Chad Mendes at UFC 142 on January 14. The bout has been confirmed at UFC.com:
After the success of UFC Rio in August, UFC officials promised that they would stage another event in the country as soon as possible. That return has now been confirmed as UFC 142, to be held January 14 in a to-be-named Brazilian city.
Besides the date, a title-fight main event was also confirmed.
Pound-for-pound superstar Jose Aldo will fight in Brazil for the first time since 2007 when he defends his UFC featherweight title against unbeaten powerhouse Chad Mendes.
Jose Aldo has been the combined WEC / UFC Featherweight champion for over two years. He’s defended the belt a total of four times, including two defenses in the UFC. During this time, he’s moved up the ranks to be considered one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world by many fans and analysts.
Chad Mendes poses an interesting threat to the champion. The 11-0 fighter is a wrestler who trains with Aldo’s former foe Urijah Faber as part of Team Alpha Male. He’s also 2-0 in the UFC. That wrestling background will make him a unique challenge for Aldo. So far, Aldo has not faced a fighter who has focused his game and taking down the champion and grinding him out. We’ve also seen Aldo struggle with the weight cut to 145 pounds and talk openly about leaving the division. Against Mark Hominick, Aldo slowed in the later rounds. Mendes, like his Alpha Male teammates, can push a furious pace. He’s never been in a five round championship fight, but if he can keep the pace on Aldo, it could be his path to upsetting the champion.
Look for more updates on the UFC’s return to Brazil in the coming weeks.
Jose Aldo (20-1)
W – Kenny Florian (Unanimous Decision, UFC 136)
W – Mark Hominick (Unanimous Decision, UFC 129)
W – Manny Gamburyan (KO R2, WEC 51
Chad Mendes (11-0)
W – Rani Yahya (Unanimous Decision, UFC 133)
W – Michihiro Omigawa (Unanimous Decision, UFC 126)
W – Javier Vasquez (Unanimous Decision, WEC 52)
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