Jose Aldo isn’t impressed by Chad Mendes recent performances. Interviewed by Combate.com, the UFC Featherweight champion feels that the challenger has the ‘same game’ that was showed in their first fight on January of 2012. In the main event of UFC 142, Aldo was able to keep the fight standing — with a little help of the fence — and KO’d Mendes with a knee in the last second of the first round:
“I see no difference in his game. He’s still the same person with the same game. He’s maybe more confident but there is nothing that I can see to tell: ‘Oh, the guy has a better striking now.’ No. He has never had a bout with a good striker and fought three rounds against him. In the cage we’ll see who evolved more.”
Aldo gave an inconclusive answer when asked about doing another stunt to promote the fight this week, like shoving Mendes again:
“No, we’re not at that level. We’ve already sold what we could. But maybe not because of the PPV. Hold on! We have to heat things up but I don’t know if there will be something more. We’re professional athletes, we know what we have to do. After the fight, everything will be normal again.”
The rematch between Aldo and Mendes will take place this Saturday in the main event of UFC 179, in Rio de Janeiro.