Interviewed by Combate.com, Chad Mendes responded to Jose Aldo’s allegations of disrespect with some of his own. The UFC featherweight champion expressed his unhappiness with Team Alpha Male because of a social media joke about his Nova Uniao teammate and former UFC bantamweight champ Renan Barao being registered in a Muay Thai class by T.A.M. striking coach Duane “Bang” Ludwig. According to Mendes, Aldo was the one who crossed the line celebrating after his KO win at UFC 142, on January of 2012.
About someone writing Barao’s name in that list, nobody of our team did that. I’ve seen that Aldo said that I’m going to pay the price for this joke, but I’m not afraid of him. I’m not scared with the fact that he’s maybe coming tougher this time. Whatever it was, a guy from our gym did that and it was removed shortly after. He’s talking about disrespect but what about when he beat me and jumped out of the octagon and ran into the crowd? This was very disrespectful too.
Aldo, who was in Rio de Janeiro that time – where he lives since 2003 -, has a different opinion about the episode.
It wasn’t disrespectful. It was nothing to do with him. Chad was there, I ran and made my celebration. It would be disrespectful if I had done something with him or his city or his team. But I did with Brazilian fans and I think that everyone enjoyed.
Aldo and Mendes will fight again for the 145-pound belt at UFC 176, on August 2. It will be rematch of the main event of the second UFC card held in Rio, when the champion knocked the challenger out almost in the end of the first round.