Featherweight Nik Lentz came into his fight against Chad Mendes at UFC on Fox 9 as the biggest underdog of the night. After taking a big lead in the first round, Mendes relied on his wrestling to score points and win the decision while being consistently outstruck by Lentz.
Lentz was the first to strike, but it didn’ take long for Mendes to respond. He landed a quick combo capped off by a right hand that hurt “The Carney”. Lentz recovered but continued to take big shots in every exchange. Headkick from Lentz backed Mendes off for a second but he got right back in and landed a seemingly easy takedown. Lentz got back to his feet but couldn’t make anything happen before giving up another takedown. Mendes unleashes a couple hooks as they get back up then jumps right back in for another takedown.
Lentz came out more aggressive in the second round. He moved forward and landed some quick combos while eating low kicks from Mendes. Mendes scored a takedown but Lentz returned to his feet pretty quickly. After landing a couple solid punches, Lentz gave up another takedown. Lentz tossed Mendes off of him, but once again gave up the takedown in the closing minute of the round.
Mendes looked much slower in the third and ffinal round. Lentz continued the pressure on the feet landing more shots in combinations while Mendes went for single shots. Lentz shrugged off a takedown attempt before the action was stopped do tue an eyepoke from Mendes. Mendes caught a kick to the body and got the takedown only to be tossed off by Lentz again. Flying knee from Chad caught Lentz off balance. He followed up with a front headlock into a guillotine attempt that landed him in mount. Lentz ate a big right hook as he returned to his feet and time ran out.
Chad Mendes wins the unaimous decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28) over Nik Lentz