The talk about Conor McGregor v Jose Aldo was so extensive that most Irish mammys were saying “jaysus, Conor best watch out for them leg kicks.”
Even the casual MMA fans had done their research on the UFC featherweight champion and what gameplan he’d likely employ to derail Conor McGregor.
But now a crash course is in order for those who mightn’t be as in tune with the UFC’s 145lb division to learn who exactly is this Chad Mendes character and is he any bloody good?
Well we can assure you that he’s very good, one of the best in the world in fact. Here’s his factfile.
The height and reach factor will make for some promising reading for Conor McGregor due to the fact that Money is actually shorter and has less reach than original opponent Jose Aldo.
The Notorious will carry a three inch height advantage into the octagon on Saturday week which will translate to a whopping eight inch edge in terms of reach.
But oftentimes, reach can be nullified with one haymaker or surprise takedown so what else should we take note of when looking at the 30-year-old California native.
The record is interesting considering the fact that it is the exact same as that of McGregor but, while McGregor’s two losses have come to Artemij Sitenkov and Joseph Duffy, Mendes would be undefeated if there was no such fighter as Jose Aldo.
The only two blemishes on his record are in title fights against the current UFC featherweight champion and the second fight resulted in more damage on Aldo than we’ve ever seen before.
Wrestling
The main threat for Conor McGregor obviously comes in the wrestling department because Mendes has proven time and time again that he can take down anyone he chooses to while we haven’t truly seen McGregor defend a takedown in the UFC, essentially because he’s never had to.
Mendes is a former NCAA Division I and genuinely one of the best grapplers in any division.
If he can close the distance on McGregor and get a hold of him, it could be a long night for The Notorious.
Knockout power
Conor McGregor has never fought someone with the knockout power of Chad Mendes, plain and simple.
Because the American is so short, he’s blessed with the ability to fake for a shot on the legs quicker than most before firing an overhand right over the top.
If Mendes gets an early takedown on McGregor, he will be able to keep the Irishman guessing as to whether he’s pursuing a takedown or looking for the Dubliner’s chin.
If he finds that chin, it could spell curtains for Conor because Mendes has knocked out five of his last seven opponents with the latest being the devastating finish of Ricardo Lamas just three months ago.
Pressure
One thing that Mendes does that neither McGregor nor Aldo does is that he comes forward with reckless abandon to the point where it looks like he sometimes lacks the proper technique.
Other than Clay Guida, there’s nobody fonder than a bum’s rush in the featherweight division than Chad Mendes and he uses that to catch his opponent’s off balance and off guard.
Luckily for McGregor, the Dubliner is more than able to fight going backwards but he won’t want to allow Mendes to control the centre of the cage too much because that can play in the minds of the judges.
Conor would also be well advised to keep his back off the cage because, once Mendes has somebody cornered and continues to come forward with punches, without lateral movement there’s only one place to go.
Experience
While the above three factors could be questioned, the advantage undoubtedly lies with the American in terms of big-fight experience.
Mendes has fought for UFC featherweight gold on two occasions and, although he came up short both times, the growth that you see in fighters after title fights is usually vast.
McGregor has been three rounds only once while Mendes has been there, on the big stage, and done five hard rounds with the champion.
Whether or not that’s a factor on the night, we’ll just have to wait and see.
