Chad Mendes will get a second chance to try to take the featherweight title from Jose Aldo this coming weekend at UFC 179 in Brazil, but ahead of the rematch ‘Money’ appeared on the latest edition of the ‘Ultimate Insider’ show to rewatch his first encounter with the champion.
In the ‘Film Room’ segment on the FOX Sports 1 show Mendes credits Aldo’s size advantage in the fight, his athleticism and takedown defense.
However, he also says that aldo’s famed heavy leg kicks weren’t as bad as he though they would be, as well as highlighting a cage grab from his opponent that prevented an almost certain takedown, and puts the surprise knee strike that KO’d him in the final seconds of the first round after controlling the action prior to that down to a lapse in concentration.
Since that fight almost three years ago Mendes has gone on a five fight winning streak that showcased his improve striking skills with four of the victories coming by way of strikes, while he’s also now bigger physically than he was back then, making him the man that many believe can give Aldo his toughest test in the Octagon to date.
Watch Mendes’ thoughts in full below.
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