Chad Mendes puts his number one featherweight contender status on the line when he takes on Brazlian jiu-jitsu stud Rani Yahya on the Spike TV portion of the UFC 133: "Evans vs. Ortiz 2" pay-per-view (PPV) event. Mendes, a fantastic wrestler, will likely stay away from the dangerous ground game of his opponent. UFC 133 results: Chad Mendes defeats Rani Yahya via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
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ROUND 1 - Mendes real careful to start the fight -- he clearly does not want to get too close to Yahya, who fakes a takedown a minute into the fight. Mendes blasts him below the belt with an accidental low kick and the fight is put on hold until he recovers. Yahya puts his head down and throws a flurry of punches that all miss. Mendes throws a left hook that lands in the right ear of Yahya. He follows it up with a nice punch-kick combination. Yahya again trie to hit Mendes, but he just steps to the side. He goes for a takedown and Mendes tosses him out of the way. Mendes lands a few nice punches to Yahya, who covers up to minimize their effect. Yahya again comes barreling in with punches, Mendes ducks under, throws him to the mat and refuses to follow. Mendes attempts a flying knee as the roundcomes to a close.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Mendes
ROUND 2 - Yahya starts the second bum rushing Mendes, who picks him up and slams him to the mat. Mendes is on top, but doesn't stay there long, getting back up to his feet to avoid the dangerous submission attempts. Mendes lunges with a left hook, but it misses. Yahya uses the opportunity to pull Mendes to the floor, but he quickly stands up once again. Yahya actually lands a nice left hook on an unsuspecting Mendes. Mendes connects with a nice straight right hand. And another that wobbles Yahya this time. He now lands a glancing uppercut, while Yahya throws wildly ... and misses. Yahya misses with a high kick, but catches Mendes on the nose with a left hook. The two now stand in the cage, staring at one another, wondering who is going to make the next move. It's neither as the round mercifully ends.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Mendes
ROUND 3 - Mendes opens the third round with a takedown and actually remains there on top. Yahya grabs the back of his neck and turns to his side, looking to do something with the arm of Mendes. Mendes covers his mouth to obstruct his breathing. Mendes lands punches to the body, while Yahya looks for ways to end the fight. He grabs an ankle and Mendes steps out. Yahya once again is able to bring him down to the mat and attempts a choke, but Mendes quickly gets out of trouble. Now an omoplata, but again, Mendes escapes. Now back to their feet and Mendes lands a front kick. Yahya connects with a counter left. Mendes scores another takedown and a flip at the bell.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Mendes
UFC 133 results: Chad Mendes defeats Rani Yahya via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)