Chad Mendes, ranked No. 1 in the featherweight division, is set to take on No. 8-ranked Nik Lentz at UFC on FOX 9. A win in Sacramento, California should be enough to earn Mendes another shot at the UFC Featherweight Championship.
Mendes has challenged for the title once before. In his third UFC bout he was knocked out right before the round-ending horn. Champion Jose Aldo broke Mendes‘ grip, and turned with a vicious knee that connected flush. This coming after Mendes failed on a takedown attempt thanks to Aldo grabbing the fence.
That small action was very meaningful.
Since the title fight, Mendes has gone 4-0 in the division. The combination of a more focused Mendes, Duane Ludwig’s coaching and a couple of less-than-stellar opponents has made Mendes look phenomenal.
The first two opponents were not top 10 caliber. Cody McKenzie and late replacement Yaotzin Meza were in over their heads, and it showed. McKenzie was put down via TKO with a big body shot just 31 seconds in to the fight. Meza went down with a straight KO at 1:55 of the first round.
Mendes got his third win over Darren Elkins, who was riding a five-fight win streak into the bout. Mendes ended the streak in just 1:08 for his third straight knockout. He could have very well been granted a title shot after that impressive win.
Instead, he got top-10 ranked Clay Guida, who lasted until the third round, when Mendes finally got the stoppage. 30 seconds into the final frame, the referee pulled Mendes away. Once again, that could have been enough to earn Mendes the title shot. Once again, he was passed over.
Five straight wins should put anyone in contention for a title shot. Mendes, more that most, deserves that honor. He has been the No. 1-ranked contender for quite some time and has put together stoppage after stoppage.
It will be difficult to deny Mendes if he gets past Lentz.
Lentz is 3-0 in the featherweight division. He is working his way up the ladder, and he has a habit of making his opponents look bad. Mendes shouldn’t need an impressive showing, but if he has one against Lentz it will only highlight his improvement since the first Aldo fight. Emphasizing that he is the top contender in the division.
Only one other featherweight has a similar résumé to Mendes. Cub Swanson, No. 4-ranked in the division, has five straight wins in the division. He also has four knockout performances. However, Mendes is the No. 1-ranked fighter. That should hold some weight.
If Mendes can match his win streak, then it is Mendes‘ title shot. He will have done all that he needs for a second try at UFC gold.
December 14th will be the date when Mendes can make his case as the next contender for the strap. A win, emphatic or not, should be enough to put Mendes in line.
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