Chad Mendes is an American mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle fighter who has made a significant impact in the world of combat sports. Known for his wrestling prowess and exciting fights, Mendes has competed at the highest levels of MMA, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and has recently transitioned to bare-knuckle fighting.
Here is a detailed look at his life and career:
Early Life and Wrestling Career
Chad Mendes wrestled for California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California. He finished his college wrestling career with an impressive overall record of 64-14. Mendes twice earned NCAA All-American honors, first at 125 pounds as a sophomore and later at 141 pounds as a senior.
Transition to Mixed Martial Arts
Mendes transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA), quickly establishing himself as a formidable featherweight contender.
When asked how he got the nickname "Money," Mendes stated that during his early days of MMA training right after graduating college, he had no knowledge of stand-up fighting. One time, when he went for a takedown after taking a punch from one his training partners, they would claim that his "shot is money", hence the nickname stuck.
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World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC)
Before joining the UFC, Mendes competed in World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC). He faced Anthony Morrison on April 24, 2010, at WEC 48, replacing an injured Mackens Semerzier. Mendes faced Javier Vazquez on November 11, 2010, at WEC 52 and defeated him via unanimous decision. Mendes was able to utilize his improved striking to complement his superior wrestling to dictate where he wanted to take the action.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Career
On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Following UFC 129, Dana White mentioned in the post-fight press conference that Mendes may have a shot at the title against UFC featherweight champion José Aldo.
Key Moments in UFC
- UFC 164: A rescheduled bout with Clay Guida took place on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164. After a close first and second round, Mendes finished Guida via TKO by punches in the third round and became the first man to ever finish Guida by strikes.
- UFC 179: A rematch with José Aldo was expected to take place on August 2, 2014, as the event headliner at UFC 176 for the UFC Featherweight Championship. However, in early July, Aldo pulled out of the bout with an injury. The rematch with Aldo was subsequently rescheduled and took place on October 25, 2014, at UFC 179. He became the first man to knock down Aldo dropping him with a left hand in the first round.
- UFC 189: José Aldo was expected to face Conor McGregor on July 11, 2015 at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship. However, in the days leading up to the fight, Aldo pulled out of the bout because of a rib injury he sustained in training. Mendes stepped in to face McGregor for the interim belt.
Conor McGregor vs Chad Mendes
Chad Mendes Best Knockouts Moments
Suspension
On June 10, 2016, the UFC announced that Mendes had been informed of a potential doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition test conducted by USADA. Mendes responded, "I didn't do my homework and that was a big mistake."
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Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
After retiring from MMA, Mendes transitioned to bare-knuckle fighting. On August 4, 2021, Chad Mendes returned from retirement, signing a multi-fight deal with BKFC. On April 29, 2023, Mendes faced Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 41 and lost by split decision. He announced his retirement from combat sports after the bout.
Awards and Achievements
- Knockout of the Night (One time) vs.
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs.
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs.
- 2014: Ranked #2 Fight of the Year vs.
- 2014 Fight of the Year vs.
- 2014 Fight of the Year vs.
- 2014 Fight of the Year vs.
- 2014 Fight of the Year vs.
- 2014 October Fight of the Month vs.
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs.
- Fight of the Year (2023) (vs.
Legal Issues
Mendes was charged with battery for his alleged involvement in a bar fight on July 29, 2012 in his hometown of Hanford, California.
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