Chad Mendes Says Jose Aldo Is Bad Champion Who Doesn’t Sell Fights, Calls Him ‘Hermit Crab’

News, Top Story

Chad Mendes doesn’t think Jose Aldo is a good champion.

While the two fighters will meet for the featherweight belt at UFC 179, the No. 1 contender says he is the only one selling the October 25 match to the media.

“He doesn’t do enough to carry his weight as far as media goes,” Mendes told MMAjunkie. “He never does and he never has. He’s a prime example: You hear all the promo stuff and I don’t hear him speaking, not one time. I’m here talking, I’m selling the fight, and I’m pushing for it. There’s nothing about Aldo. He’s got to do something.”

Mendes even resorted to name-calling.

“I can’t carry this whole fight on my back. I need some help selling the damn thing. I want to punch you in the face. Do you want to punch me in the face? Tell us what you want to do. That’s him being a hermit crab in Brazil.”

Aldo’s style works in sharp contrast to who many believe will be the next man to challenge for the belt, Conor McGregor. Known for his mouth and ability to sell fights before they happen, McGregor almost works as Aldo’s complete opposite.

“That’s your role as the champion – you’ve got to sell fights,” Mendes said. “You’ve got to talk about it. You can’t just keep to yourself and be a little hermit and stay in Brazil. You’ve got to talk about it and put yourself out there and let people know about it. That’s what makes it entertaining.

“I don’t like Conor McGregor, I’m sure he doesn’t like me. He’s talks a lot of s–t in media and I’m going to talk it back. I’d love to get out there and beat the crap out of him, and I’m going to tell people that.”