Chad Mendes lost the fight but he won an awful lot of respect.
Trash talk is part and parcel of these things.
They do it in boxing, they’re mad for it in MMA and the American was only one half of a hostile build-up to UFC 189’s main event.
But, in the aftermath of a thrilling battle between him and Conor McGregor, Mendes held himself well, he acknowledged his adversary, and he showed real grace and class in defeat.
He even thanked his Irish opponent for accepting the fight on such short notice after Jose Aldo pulled out and the pair showed real respect to one another.
And the Irish loved Mendes for it.
Fair play to Chad Mendes humble in defeat well don't to them both!👍🏻🇮🇪🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/dA6wFr3nf5
— Megan Small (@MeganSmall2002) July 12, 2015
https://twitter.com/TheSonicScrew/status/620092335003697152
I think @TheNotoriousMMA just earned the respect of the entire division after that one. Mendes just earned Irish support aswell. #classact
— Eoin Mac an Chrosáin (@EoinMacrogo) July 12, 2015
That Chad Mendes is fair classy
— DK (@donnchaxx) July 12, 2015
I wasn't the biggest fan of Chad Mendes at all, but it takes a certain type of athlete to be gracious in both victory and defeat 👏#Respect
— Niall (@NiallOC_) July 12, 2015
Chad Mendes is the most classy loser I have ever seen in any sport! #UFC189 #UFC #respect #fightingirish 🏆
— Sean Harper (@sharper888) July 12, 2015
Chad Mendes with a classy interview at the end there. @TheNotoriousMMA champ. #ufc189
— Nicky Clarke (@nicky_clarke) July 12, 2015
Nothing but respect for mendes hats off to him
— Jickey (@jordan_hickey15) July 12, 2015
https://twitter.com/ConnorJDavies/status/620204361004785664
Mendes was a very humble loser, fair play to them both! 🍀 #UFC89 #MendesVSMcGregor https://t.co/W8iVqkBCW8
— Cathal (@CathalD50) July 12, 2015
https://twitter.com/rourky11/status/620100730129633280
https://twitter.com/micr_wlee/status/620092501936898049