UFC 179 took place this weekend, Oct. 25 headlined by UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo vs perennial top contender Chad Mendes in a rematch of their 2012 encounter. Aldo claimed victory originally back at UFC 142 with not knockout victory late in the opening round following the champion’s infamous fence grab. Mendes (16-2) went on to continue his dominant stance in the division, and bounced back with five straight victories to earn a second shot at the gold, meanwhile Aldo had completed a further three title defences.
Opinion was heavily split heading into the rematch; however, the challenger surprised many throughout the first round by by out-striking the champion, dropping Aldo in the opening stanza and countering the Brazilian’s strikes. However, Aldo turned the tables when Mendes failed to maintain a completed takedown; the champion quickly found a way back to his feet, stunned Mendes and followed up with heavy ground and pound followed by a fearsome flurry on the feet as the round closed out.
The action simmered down for the second round with Aldo taking the opportunity to work his trademark leg kicks with Mendes answering back with varied kicks of his own. The slightly more relaxed, yet competitive round served as an interval to some extent as the predictability picked up once again in round three.
The American once again stunned Aldo only for the champion to come back in turn and chase the finish until Mendes saved himself with a long awaited takedown. The striking success of Mendes continued to impress in round four, as the championship rounds began the standup trades continued to go back and forth between both fighters.
Mendes looked to seal round 5 by taking his opponent down against the fence via a double leg takedown; however, the champion again worked back to the feet and crippled Mendes a combination topped with a knee to the body of his opponent. Mendes was turtled up and seemed all but finished until the hardy challenger fought for one last push, he got back to his feet and the two men continued to throw until the final seconds ended, bringing an end to memorable contest that may well be the defining moment of Jose Aldo’s championship reign.
In the co-main event Phil Davis bounced back from just his second career loss, and produced the most solid performance of his UFC career to date by out performing former light-heavyweight title challenger Glover Teixeira in all areas to claim a one-sided unanimous decision victory.
Results:
Main Card
Jose Aldo defeated Chad Mendes by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Phil Davis defeated Glover Teixeira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fabio Maldonado defeated Hans Stringer by TKO (punches on the ground) at 4:06 of R2
Darren Elkins defeated Lucas Martins by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Beneil Dariush defeated Carlos Diego Ferreira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card
Neil Magny defeated William Macario by TKO (Strikes) at 2:40, R3
Yan Cabral defeated Naoyuki Kotani by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:06, R2
Wilson Reis defeated Scott Jorgensen by Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) at 3:28, R1
Andre Fili defeated Felipe Arantes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Gilbert Burns defeated Christos Giagos via submission (armbar) at 4:57 of R1
Tony Martin defeated Fabricio Camões via submission (kimura lock) at 4:16 of R1
