In the UFC’s new favourite export market of Brazil, fans were treated to an excellent night of fights from established stars to fast-rising prospects.
In the main event Jose Aldo stood unbowed as he decisioned a tough Chad Mendes for a second time, and in another match with title implications Phil Davies displayed a much improved striking game as he outlasted Glover Teixiera.
Some fights are technical masterclasses, others are blood and guts wars. In Aldo versus Mendes for the Featherweight World title we were treated to a fight which encapsulated both.
After five rounds, in a wildly exciting fight, Aldo again had his arm raised as the best in the world at 145 pounds, but it wasn’t easy and he had to work for it. Many thought Mendes would use his improved striking to close the distance, looking to take down the rangy champion. What no one expected was for the challenger to stand in front of Aldo, willing to trade strikes and beat the Brazilian at his own game.
Aldo came close to finishing the fight a number of times but could not put the gutsy American away as Mendes left the cage with huge amounts of credit but sadly no UFC belt around his waist. Conor McGregor looks to be the most high profile challenger of the moment and if he gets past Dennis Siver in January a title fight between him and Aldo would be a mouthwatering prospect.
Phil ‘Mr Wonderful’ Davis scored a minor upset in dominating Glover Teixeira enroute to a unanimous decision victory. Davis showed an increased versatility and awareness of range as he picked apart his opponent on the feet, leading to takedowns and a dominating performance on the ground.
Rarely (not since the Damien Maia versus John Fitch fight) has there been a more one-sided grappling performance, made more impressive by being against a man who’s last action was losing a decision to light heavyweight champion John Jones. Winning the fight in this fashion will raise Davis’s stock considerably and he could be one victory from a title shot if he puts in another similar performance.
In other fights, Brazilian Fabio Maldonado weathered an early storm as he knocked out Dutch powerhouse Hans Stringer, and Darren Elkins took a split decision over Chute Boxe Academy export Lucas Martin.
In an excellent night of fights UFC179 is an example of there being decisions which cure insomnia (see Tito Ortiz versus Patrick Cote) as well as those which will be remembered and re-watched. Mendes will be back, but for Jose Aldo and MMA in Brazil, the future looks bright.
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