UFC 179: Aldo and Mendes Turn Their Rematch Into a War
José Aldo retained the UFC featherweight championship against Chad Mendes at UFC 179 on October 25, 2014. Their rematch at Ginásio do Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro lasted five rounds and ended in a unanimous decision for the Brazilian champion.
The rematch goes the distance
The contest unfolded very differently from their first meeting, which Aldo had won by first-round knockout in 2012. Mendes carried the rematch into a sustained championship battle, forcing Aldo to work through twenty-five minutes rather than find another immediate finish.
Aldo’s victory preserved his position at the top of the featherweight division. Mendes left without the belt, but the extended exchanges made the second meeting a distinct chapter in their rivalry. Winning both fights did not mean the champion experienced the same kind of challenge twice.
Davis takes the co-main event
Phil Davis defeated Glover Teixeira by unanimous decision in the light heavyweight co-main event. All three judges scored that three-round contest 30–27, giving Davis a clear points victory against a former title challenger in front of a Brazilian crowd.
The supporting main-card results included Fábio Maldonado’s second-round stoppage of Hans Stringer, Darren Elkins’s split-decision victory over Lucas Martins and Beneil Dariush’s unanimous decision against Carlos Diego Ferreira. Those contests supplied a mixture of finishes and full-distance decisions. Yet the championship rematch remained the night’s defining contest: Aldo retained his title, Mendes sustained the challenge far beyond their first encounter, and their rivalry acquired a much more demanding second act.
Sources
- View the official UFC 179 event archive on UFC.com.
- ufc.com: brazils lone king aldo still reigns supreme
- ufc.com: davis keeps brazil winning streak intact
Article Tags
UFC 179, UFC history, MMA
