(Photos from Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC featherweight champ, José Aldo improved his record to 19-1 in his promotional debut last Saturday night against Canadian Mark Hominick at UFC 129.
It was an exciting fight for fans to watch, with Aldo landing some heavy kicks in the first few rounds, and Hominick surging in the fifth round trying to finish. UFC President Dana White saw fit to award both men the “Fight of the Night” bonus, giving each fighter an extra $129,000 in bonus money for keeping fans at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, on their feet for most of the fight.
Aldo would earn a unanimous decision from the judges, and in a recent interview with Graciemag.com, say’s that he “took it easy” in the last round to make the fight more exciting for the fans.
“I knew I’d won the earlier rounds, so I took it easy playing guard in the last one. I’m a Flamengo (soccer team) fan and like excitement. That’s why I liked the fight – that excitement in the end!”
“Now UFC Rio is coming up and the foreigners will get to see what it’s like fighting in their opponents’ hometown. Chad Mendes is a really tough guy who’s been moving up the ranks in the event. If the boss gives the go-ahead, it will be a good fight; I’m a UFC employee.”
“It was an awesome fight! Mark really brought the goods, he’s a great fighter, really tough. I knew his boxing was great and had sharpened up his muay thai for this. I looked to kick his legs a lot and strike. But all my fights leading up to this one were tough, not just this one. It was great for the crowd to see that I’ll go a full five rounds.”
The champ is hoping to take part on the upcoming UFC 134: Rio event, which is set to occur on Aug. 27 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the promotions first visit since 1998 with UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil.
Mendes, a member of Team Alpha Male, is currently undefeated, winning five straight under the Zuffa banner, with four of those wins coming by unanimous decision. He made his UFC debut in February, defeating Michihiro Omigawa by decision at UFC 126. Mendes will be the second member of Team Alpha Male to face Aldo for the title, with Urijah Faber being the first.