UFC fighter Chad Mendes is currently ranked #2 in the featherweight division and has had 14 fights during his career. The fighter has battled formidable opponents like Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor.
Despite being in the cage with the two top fighters and having fought in 14 fights, Mendes has named Jose Aldo one of his toughest opponents.
“Aldo’s a beast,” Mendes told MMA Fighting. “I still tell everybody to this day that was my toughest fight. Everyone always thinks it’s Conor [McGregor], but it wasn’t. Aldo was next level. I think that took about ten years off my life, I always say. That night, I got back to the hotel. I was pissing blood. I’d never had that happen in any of my fights. I was pretty beat up after that fight.”
“He’s a beast, man,” Mendes said of Aldo’s latest win. “I’m definitely not surprised he came back and completely dominated like that. … I didn’t even know he was coming back [for UFC 307]. He doesn’t need to. I think he just has the true love for it. And honestly, I do, too. That’s why I keep coming back. But that’s awesome, man. I always like watching Aldo fight.”
Despite going up against fighters like Eddie Alvarez, Alexsander Volkanovksi, etc, Mendes still maintains that Jose Aldo remains his most formidable opponent in the cage. The fighter competed at the BKFC and remained undefeated in MMA till he came face to face with Jose Aldo and challenged him for UFC gold but lost via first-round knockout in 2012. Mendez had another chance to face Aldo for the featherweight title in Rio de Janeiro, but after a five-round battle, Aldo defeated Mendes. However, he soon lost his title to Conor McGregor.
“I would imagine he’s gonna keep pouring his heart and soul into it,” Mendes said. “He doesn’t seem like a guy that half-asses anything, so I think [he can win].”
Afterwards, Mendes replaced Aldo in a short-notice bout against Conor McGregor at UFC 189 for the interim featherweight title. Unfortunately, Mendes lost the battle via second-round stoppage.
After a successful run, Chad Mendes announced his retirement from combat sports. He has a UFC record of [9-5] and a BKFC record of [1-1]
