Chad Mendes
Former UFC featherweight title contender Chad ‘Money’ Mendes (12-1) appears set to return to action this December at the upcoming UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson event in Australia versus Brazilian fighter Hacran ‘Barnabe’ Dias (21-1-1).
News of the matchup first surfaced at Sportv.globo.com in Brazil, who posted the news on Monday.
UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson is expected to take place on December 15, 2012 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The event will air in North America on December 14 on FX and is expected to feature the final matches for The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes reality series.
Mendes enters the fight following a 31-second knockout victory over Cody McKenzie at UFC 148, bouncing back from the first loss of his career. ‘Money’ was stopped by featherweight champ Jose Aldo last January at UFC 142, having been dropped with one second left on the clock by knockout. Mendes had won two straight in the UFC and four under the WEC banner in order to earn the title shot.
Dias debuted with the UFC this past June in Brazil, winning his ninth straight victory by defeating fellow countrymen Yuri Alcantara by decision. ‘Barnabe’ has competed for several promotions including the M-1, Shooto Brazil, and other various small promotions in Brazil.