The UFC hits Brazil this weekend with the much-anticipated rematch between featherweight champion Jose Aldo (24-1-0) and Chad Mendes (16-1-0). The pair first met in January 2012 when a brutal knee from the champion ended Mendes’ night in the first round of their fight. Since then, Aldo has successfully defended his strap against Frankie Edgar, Chan Sung Jung and Ricardo Lamas, while Mendes has rattled off five wins of his own to get back to the top of the heap to challenge again.
Mendes has evolved his wrestling-dominated style since the loss to Aldo and is letting his hands do more of the work, with four of his last five wins coming by way of knockout. But will it be enough to avenge his only professional defeat? To whet the appetite ahead of the fight, check out Joe Rogan’s “Ultimate 8” moments of Jose Aldo in the cage (including that vicious knee on Mendes) and an interview with Mendes where he talks about the defeat to Aldo and how he has grown as a fighter since. Another big fight on the card this weekend is the light heavyweight matchup between Glover Teixeira and Phil Davis.
