Chad_Mendes

Chad Mendes

Chad Mendes

American mixed martial arts fighter


Chad Eduardo Mendes[1] (born May 1, 1985)[5] is an American former professional bare-knuckle boxer, mixed martial artist, and collegiate wrestler who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).[6] Mendes gained notoriety competing in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was a three-time UFC championship challenger.[7] Competing as a Cal Poly Mustang, he was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and a Pac-10 Conference champion in folkstyle wrestling.[8]

Quick Facts Born, Nickname ...

Wrestling career

NCAA

Mendes wrestled for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. He finished his career with an overall record of 64–14 and twice earned NCAA All-American honors at 125 pounds as a sophomore, then 141 pounds as a senior. As a senior, Mendes finished the year with a 30–1 record; he placed 2nd in the 2008 NCAA championships at 141 lb., falling to Ohio State's J Jaggers in the title match.[9] That year, Mendes was Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year.[10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After the conclusion of his collegiate career, Mendes began to train mixed martial arts with Team Alpha Male.[3] He began fighting for the Palace Fighting Championship and went undefeated.[citation needed]

World Extreme Cagefighting

Mendes made his WEC debut against Erik Koch on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47.[11] He won the fight via unanimous decision, despite a cut over his right eye that was examined during the fight to see if he could continue.[citation needed]

Mendes faced Anthony Morrison, replacing an injured Mackens Semerzier,[12] on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48. He won the bout via first round submission.[13]

Mendes faced Cub Swanson on August 18, 2010 at WEC 50.[14] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, and 29–28).[15]

Mendes faced Javier Vazquez on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52 and defeated him via unanimous decision.[16] Mendes was able to utilize his improved striking to complement his superior wrestling to dictate where he wanted to take the action. During the fight, Mendes used an unorthodox move when he front flipped on Vazquez who was on the ground, to land on him.[citation needed]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[17]

Mendes made his UFC debut against returning veteran and judo black belt Michihiro Omigawa on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

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. Although the two were expected to fight on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133, Aldo would be sidelined until October recovering from various injuries sustained during his fight with Mark Hominick.[20][21] Mendes instead faced Rani Yahya at the event.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]

Mendes fought UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo on January 14, 2012 at UFC 142, losing at 4:59 of the first round via KO, giving Mendes his first professional loss.[24][25]

Mendes next faced Cody McKenzie on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148.[26] He won the fight via first-round TKO due to a body punch.[27]

Mendes was expected to face Hacran Dias on December 15, 2012 at UFC on FX 6.[28] However, in just days before the event, Dias pulled out of the bout, citing a shoulder injury, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Yaotzin Meza.[29] Mendes defeated Meza via KO at 3:38 in the first round.[30]

Mendes was expected to face Manvel Gamburyan on February 23, 2013 at UFC 157.[31] However, Gamburyan pulled out of the bout, citing a thumb injury.[32] Subsequently, Mendes was pulled from the card as a suitable replacement could not be found on short notice.[33]

Mendes was expected to face Clay Guida on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.[34] However, it was revealed on March 15 that Guida had pulled out of the bout, citing an injury,[35] and he was replaced by Darren Elkins.[36] Mendes won the fight by TKO at 1:08 in the first round.[37]

A rescheduled bout with Guida took place on August 31, 2013 at UFC 164.[38] 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. The win also earned Mendes his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.[39][40]

Mendes faced Nik Lentz on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9.[41] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[42]

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.[43] However, in early July, Aldo pulled out of the bout with an injury.[44] The rematch with Aldo was subsequently rescheduled and took place on October 25, 2014, at UFC 179.[45] He became the first man to knock down Aldo dropping him with a left hand in the first round. Mendes and Aldo both rocked each other with clean punches, Mendes would go on to lose the fight via unanimous decision.[46] Despite the loss on the scorecards, Mendes was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award for the bout.[47] The fight won World MMA Awards 2015 fight of the year award.[48]

Mendes faced Ricardo Lamas on April 4, 2015 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 63.[49] Mendes won the fight via TKO in the first round.[50] The win also earned Mendes his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[51]

On May 18, 2015, Dana White tweeted that Chad Mendes had agreed to an eight-fight contract with UFC.[52]

José Aldo was expected to face Conor McGregor on July 11, 2015 at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship.[53] 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 as a short notice replacement to face McGregor for the interim championship.[54] Mendes lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[55]

Mendes faced Frankie Edgar on December 11, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale.[56] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[57]

After returning from his suspension and two-and-a-half years away from the sport, Mendes faced Myles Jury on July 14, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133.[58] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[59] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[60]

Mendes faced Alexander Volkanovski on December 29, 2018 at UFC 232.[61] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[62] This fight earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[63] Following the loss, Mendes announced his retirement from the sport.[64]

Bare-knuckle boxing career

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

On August 4, 2021, Mendes announced that he was released from his UFC contract by his own request and signed a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.[65] However, he later reiterated that he was still under contract with the UFC, but was given exemption to compete in bare-knuckle.[66] He was initially expected to make his debut at a BKFC event on October 22, 2021, but that was postponed on two occasions.[65][67] He debuted on February 19, 2022 at KnuckleMania 2 defeating Joshuah Alvarez by technical knockout.[68]

On April 29, 2023, Mendes faced Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 41 and lost by split decision.[69][70] He announced his retirement from combat sports after the bout. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[71]

Doping violations and 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.[72] Mendes responded, "I didn't do my homework and that was a big mistake. I own it and I'm going to pay for it."[73] He claims the cause was from a topical cream used to treat his psoriasis, however, on July 20, 2016, USADA reported that Mendes tested positive for GHRP-6, a growth hormone release stimulator, and suspended Mendes for 2 years.[74] He was not eligible to compete again until June 10, 2018.[75]

Submission grappling

Mendes competed in Submission Underground 3 on January 30, 2017, where he defeated Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and 27 time Grapplers Quest champion, Jeff Glover in overtime.[76]

Personal life

Mendes is of Portuguese, Italian, Puerto Rican, Irish, and Native American descent.[77]

Mendes and his wife Abby have a daughter (born 2019).[78]

Mendes founded the hunting and fishing guide service Finz and Featherz.[79]

Mendes was charged with battery for his alleged involvement in a bar fight on July 29, 2012 in his hometown of Hanford, California. The Kings County District Attorney's Office announced on August 25, 2012, that it would seek a battery charge against Mendes.[80] The charges were dropped after Mendes pleaded no contest to a count of public disturbance and paid a fine.[81]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Collegiate wrestling

Bare-knuckle boxing

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
23 matches 18 wins 5 losses
By knockout 8 4
By submission 2 0
By decision 8 1
More information Res., Record ...

[89]

Pay-per-view bouts

More information No., Event ...

Bare knuckle record

Professional record breakdown
2 matches 1 win 1 loss
By knockout 1 0
By decision 0 1
More information Res., Record ...

[93]

NCAA record

More information NCAA Championships Matches, Res. ...

See also


References

  1. "Fight Card – UFC 179 Aldo vs. Mendes 2". UFC.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  2. "Chad Mendes – Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  3. Professional MMA record for Chad Mendes from Sherdog Edit this at Wikidata Archived from the original on October 10, 2016.
  4. Holland, Jesse (August 4, 2021). "'Crazy' Chad Mendes junks retirement, makes bareknuckle debut for BKFC on Oct. 22". MMAmania.com. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  5. Gallo, Ed (August 1, 2019). "Wrestling for MMA: Chad Mendes". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  6. "Wrestling". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
  7. "Wrestling". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
  8. "CHAD MENDES VS. ERIK KOCH ON FOR WEC COLUMBUS". MMAWeekly.com. January 26, 2010.
  9. "Chad Mendes replaces Mackens Semerzier, faces Anthony Morrison at WEC 48". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
  10. "Chad Mendes vs. Anthony Morrison". Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  11. "Chad Mendes vs. Cub Swanson". Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  12. "WEC 52 additions include Mendes-Vazquez". MMAjunkie.com. September 20, 2010. Archived from the original on September 22, 2010.
  13. "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010.
  14. Leland Roling (February 5, 2011). "UFC 126 Results: Chad Mendes Outworks Michihiro Omigawa, Wins by Decision". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  15. "Jose Aldo Out of UFC 133 Featherweight Title Defense Against Chad Mendes". MMAmania.com. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  16. "Chad Mendes meets Rani Yahya at UFC 133 in Philadelphia". mmajunkie.com. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  17. Matthew Roth (August 6, 2011). "UFC 133 Results: Chad Mendes puts on a clinic against Rani Yahya". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  18. Michael David Smith (January 14, 2012). "Jose Aldo knocks out Chad Mendes at UFC 142, keeps featherweight belt". mmafighting.com. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  19. Ben Fowlkes (October 20, 2014). "For Chad Mendes, a few seconds, a fence grab, and a long time to dwell on a loss". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  20. "Featherweights Chad Mendes vs. Cody McKenzie added to UFC 148". mmajunkie.com. May 18, 2012. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  21. Dave Doyle (July 7, 2012). "UFC 148 Results: Chad Mendes Makes Short Work of Cody McKenzie". mmafighting.com. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  22. "Hacran Dias vs. Chad Mendes set for UFC on FX 6". mmajunkie.com. October 1, 2012. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012.
  23. "Yaotzin Meza replaces Hacran Dias, meets Chad Mendes at Friday's UFC on FX 6". MMAjunkie.com. December 10, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  24. "UFC on FX 6 results: Chad Mendes blasts late replacement Yaotzin Meza in first". mmajunkie.com. December 15, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  25. "Chad Mendes vs. Manny Gamburyan added to February's UFC 157 event". cagereligion.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  26. Pishna, Ken (February 8, 2013). "Manny Gamburyan Forced Out of UFC 157; Chad Mendes Awaits New Opponent". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  27. Staff (February 8, 2013). "With no opponent, Chad Mendes off next week's UFC 157 card". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  28. Dann Stupp (February 12, 2013). "Chad Mendes meets Clay Guida at UFC on FOX 7". mmajunkie.com.
  29. Greg Savage (March 15, 2013). "Clay Guida Injured, Out of Chad Mendes Fight at UFC on Fox 7". sherdog.com. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  30. Matt Erickson (March 19, 2013). "Darren Elkins steps in for Clay Guida, meets Chad Mendes at UFC on FOX 7". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  31. Mike Chiapetta (April 20, 2013). "UFC on FOX 7 results: Chad Mendes stops Darren Elkins by TKO". mmafighting.com. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  32. Mookie Alexander (May 22, 2013). "Chad Mendes vs. Clay Guida targeted for UFC 164". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  33. Dave Doyle (August 31, 2013). "UFC 164 results: Chad Mendes becomes first fighter to TKO Clay Guida". mmafighting.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  34. Staff (September 1, 2013). "UFC 164 bonuses: Pettis, Mendes, Lim, Krauss win $50,000". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  35. Ariel Helwani (September 17, 2013). "Chad Mendes vs. Nik Lentz booked for UFC on FOX 9". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  36. Matt Erickson (December 13, 2013). "UFC on FOX 9 results, photos: Chad Mendes wins fifth straight, tops Nik Lentz". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  37. Mookie Alexander (May 4, 2014). "Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes 2 headlines UFC 176 in Los Angeles". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  38. Staff (July 2, 2014). "Jose Aldo out of UFC 176 main event vs. Chad Mendes with injury". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  39. Brett Okamoto (July 27, 2014). "Aldo-Mendes rematch set for Rio". espn.go.com. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  40. Gene Mrosko (October 26, 2014). "UFC 179 bonuses: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes wins 'Fight of the Night' honors". mmamania.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  41. 2014 World MMA Awards winners: Lawler, Rousey, Gastelum, McGregor, UFC. MMAjunkie (2015-01-31). Retrieved on 2016-12-30.
  42. Damon Martin (January 18, 2015). "Chad Mendes vs. Ricardo Lamas headlines UFC Fight Night in Virginia". foxsports.com.com. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  43. Elias Cepeda (April 4, 2015). "Chad Mendes stuns, stops Ricardo Lamas in first round". foxsports.com. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  44. Staff (April 4, 2015). "UFC Fight Night 63 bonuses: Four get $50,000 for 'Performance of the Night' efforts". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  45. Ken Pishna (May 18, 2015). "Chad Mendes Inks Lengthy New UFC Deal". mmaweekly.com.
  46. "Statement on UFC 189". ufc.com. June 24, 2015.
  47. Matt Erickson (June 30, 2015). "Jose Aldo officially out of UFC 189; Chad Mendes meets Conor McGregor for interim belt". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  48. Thomas Myers (July 12, 2015). "UFC 189 results: Conor McGregor finishes Chad Mendes after surviving two brutal rounds". mmamania.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  49. Lucas Rezende (August 25, 2015). "Frankie Edgar vs. Chad Mendes to headline TUF 22 Finale". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  50. Steven Marrocco (December 12, 2015). "TUF 22 Finale results: Frankie Edgar lands first-round knockout bomb on Chad Mendes". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  51. Nick Baldwin (May 7, 2018). "Chad Mendes returns against Myles Jury at UFC Boise". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  52. "Chad Mendes vs. Alex Volkanovski joins UFC 232 lineup in Las Vegas". MMAjunkie. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  53. "UFC 232 results, highlights: Alexander Volkanovski stops Chad Mendes in all-out battle". CBSSports.com. December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  54. Sherdog.com. "UFC 232 Bonuses: Nunes, Volkanovski, Mendes, Hall Capture $50K Awards". Sherdog. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  55. "Chad Mendes retires from MMA after UFC 232 loss". bjpenn.com. December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  56. "UFC veterans Eddie Alvarez, Chad Mendes to fight at BKFC 41". MMA Junkie. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  57. Staff (June 10, 2016). "UFC statement on Chad Mendes". ufc.com. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  58. Mckeever, Lewis. (2016-06-19) Chad Mendes comments on potential USADA violation: 'I didn't do my homework'", by Lewis Mckeever. Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved on 2016-12-30.
  59. Marc Raimondi (July 20, 2016). "Chad Mendes gets two-year suspension from USADA for testing positive for PED". mmafighting.com. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  60. Raphael Garcia (January 30, 2017). "Submission Underground 3 Results: Tonon, Glover beaten by UFC fighters". bloodyelbow.com.
  61. "American Elements: Chad Mendes". CarbonTV.com. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  62. Joe Johnson (August 25, 2012). "Chad Mendes now facing criminal charge". Hanford Sentinel.
  63. Tim Burke (January 19, 2015). "Bloody Elbow 2014 Year-End Awards – Results". Bloody Elbow.
  64. @bareknucklefc (January 13, 2024). "The 2023 year end award winners" via Instagram.
  65. Sherdog.com. "Chad". Sherdog. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  66. "UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  67. "UFC 179: Aldo vs. Mendes 2 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  68. "UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved September 9, 2022.

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Chad_Mendes, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.