Jose Aldo Retains Featherweight Title at UFC 179

Published at 4:26 am, October 26, 2014

EastIdahoNews.com Staff

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images(RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil) — Jose Aldo earned a unanimous decision to retain his UFC featherweight title, beating Chad Mendes on Saturday night at UFC 179 in Brazil. The bout had been a rematch of the 2012 title fight that also saw Aldo emerge victorious.

“I think every fight is the toughest fight of my career,” Aldo (25-1) said. “I think I deserved to win. He hit me a few times but I him a lot more. But congratulations to Chad Mendes. I have respect for him, his whole team, his family.”

Both fighters scored takedowns in the first round and had chances to finish early. Instead, the five-round bout went the distance and provide fans with a thrilling 25 minutes of action. Aldo, who knocked out Mendes in the first round their previous meeting, was awarded at 49-46 decision by all three judges.

“He rung my bell for sure,” Mendes (16-2) said. “I was rushing to get my wits back. I’ve got to be honest, I was just going so hard that I didn’t know what the hell was going on.”

After winning the first three rounds, Aldo seemingly attempted to coast to another victory. Mendes did not allow the champion to go that easily, opening up a cut under the left eyebrow of his opponent in the fourth round. However, it would prove to do little damage as Aldo was able to win the final round to secure his title defense.

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