UFC 142 Fight Card Breakdown: Jose Aldo Vs. Chad Mendes

UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (20-1, 10-0 UFC/WEC) defends his belt against challenger Chad Mendes (11-0, 7-0 UFC/WEC) at UFC 142 tonight at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At 25 years old, Aldo is one of the most dominant 145lb fighters in MMA history. Mendes, 26, is the undefeated challenger.

Aldo defeated Mike Brown to take the WEC belt in 2009 and fended off a challenge from Mendes' coach and training partner Urijah Faber in 2010. The WEC was absorbed into the UFC in 2010 and the whole division moved to the Octagon.

Aldo is a brilliant Muay Thai kickboxer with an uncanny ability to defend against take downs. His opponents have only been successful on 6% of their attempts to take Aldo down in the UFC/WEC. Aldo is known for his flying knees and knock out punches. Aldo is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and won a world championship at the brown belt level before moving on to mixed martial arts competition.

Mendes is an exceptional wrestler who wins fights by getting the take down and controlling position. If he can impose his game on the explosive and dangerous Aldo for three out of five rounds without getting KO'd or submitted, the win is his for the taking.

Look for Aldo to take this one.