The first fight card in 2012 for the UFC has just received it’s very first bout. Announced for UFC 142 today was a featherweight title bout between champion Jose Aldo and challenger Chad Mendes.
FoxSports.com received the confirmation directly from UFC President Dana White on Monday.
UFC president Dana White broke the news to FoxSports.com on Monday night. White had stated to many outlets shortly after Aldo’s title defense over Kenny Florian at UFC 136 that Chad Mendes would probably receive the next shot.
Aldo hasn’t lost in six years and carries a 20-1 professional record. Mendes is 11-0 and as a two-time All-American collegiate wrestler, he could finally be the man to take Aldo to the mat and ruin his 94% takedown defense percentage.
Aldo (20-1) has not lost a fight in six years, and has won 13 in a row. Since winning the WEC championship in Nov. 2009, Aldo has defeated all four of his challengers, even as the promotion was absorbed by the UFC and the belt was re-christened as the UFC championship.
Mendes is a perfect 11-0 in his career. He debuted under the Zuffa banner in March 2010 and has won all six of his fights. His most recent bout came against Rani Yahya at UFC 133, a fight which he won by unanimous decision.
Some have speculated that Mendes, a former two-time collegiate wrestling All-American, could give Aldo trouble by employing his grinding style. Thus far in his career, though, Aldo has been up to the challenge. According to FightMetric, he’s only been taken down twice in his last 10 fights, and has successfully defended 94 percent of the takedown attempts against him.
The Aldo vs. Mendes fight is the first one officially announced by the UFC for the January 14 event.
