Despite being such a fan-made underdog in his upcoming fight against UFC Featherweight Champion, Jose Aldo (20-1-0), this Saturday night at UFC Rio, Chad ” Money” Mendes (11-0) feels a little different about the situation.
“When it’s all said and done, it’s whether I believe I’m ready.” said Mendes. “I believe in my skills and I believe that all my training has come down to this one moment.”
Coming out of one of the best camps in MMA, Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, CA, Mendes attributes some of his winning ways to mentor and leader Urijah Faber, who actually fought Aldo in April of 2010, losing to him in a five round unanimous decision. “It’s a lifestyle for us,” explained Mendes. “It’s like a big family and everyone works with each other and fills in the blanks.”
Known primarily for his high pedigree of wrestling, in his past few fights, Mendes has delivered some highlight reel ground work, even pulling off some flips and unique moves to throw his opponents off. “This is all just fun for us and we like to get in their and get creative,” said Mendes. “Urijah is known for that, and he is like a big brother to me and that’s some of the stuff we take from him.”
With the fight being in Brazil, the fact that it’s in the backyard of his opponent isn’t what bothers him most. “I wanted a lot of my family and friends to come,” said Mendes. “It’s just so expensive to come, so that’s hard for me but I actually like fighting in his hometown.”
With the FOX deal officially starting in 2012 and the new exposure on FX, Mendes shot at the tittle couldn’t have come at a better time. “The belt is the number one thing I want to leave with,” explained Mendes. “That aside, these memories are something I’m never going to forget. I know that I have a short window in my life to do this kind of stuff and now is that time to seize it and enjoy every minute of it.”
Facebook Comments
