Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 142's Featherweight Championship bout between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes
Jan 13, 2012 - 8:45:17 PM ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 142's Featherweight Championship bout between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes

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Predict the outcome of the UFC 142 main event between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes; who wins and how?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST


According to UFC Tonight, Chad Mendes has been successful on 27 of his 40 takedown attempts in the UFC.  That converts to a 67.5% success rate, which is more than 20% higher than the next most successful takedown artist, regardless of division.  That is a staggering statistic, and is one which will have absolutely no bearing on this fight whatsoever.  Aldo's going to clown Mendes, winning this fight however he sees fit.  The only drama is if the line on Aldo will stay in the mid -235 range before I can get some money on him.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR



I think Aldo wins this by TKO. I just don't think Mendes has enough tools to beat Aldo. Aldo is only going to get better as a fighter, I don't think Mendes is going to be able to keep up. I don't see this fight going more than three rounds.


ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Jose Aldo will easily win via any way he wants against Chad Mendes.  Mendes is a good fighter, but not at the level of Aldo.  Aldo will either submit Mendes in the second round, or if it gets past there, a sound unanimous decision win for the Brazilian in his home country.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR




I love Chad Mendes as a fighter and he is a deserving challenger; he is good everywhere the fight can take place. However, Jose Aldo is on another level all together. He is a great fighter, better in every aspect, and should not lose this fight. Jose Also will win this fight by decision.


JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
 
Five round fights always favor the more dynamic fighter, and I don't think anyone is going to mistake Chad Mendes for the more dynamic fighter at this point in his career.
 
If Mendes doesn't commit to offense on the feet or on the ground, he's going to have to contend with a fresh Jose Aldo for 25 minutes. Taking rounds off the Brazilian is just going to make him desperate to end the fight, and as potent a finisher as Jose Aldo is, he can do it.
 
I think with the crowd on his side and Mendes' aversion to risk, Jose Aldo finally feels confident enough to open up and get his first stoppage in the UFC's Octagon.


MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I know Mark Hominick was able to control Aldo on the mat and do some serious damage for the better part of a round in their encounter at UFC 129, but that was in the fifth round against a very gassed Aldo. Mendes will certainly look to do the same, only much earlier in the fight, but without the striking to back it up I don't know how effective his shots will be. I think Aldo survives the couple takedowns he'll succumb to and eventually gets back to his feet unscathed. From there he'll start battering the legs of Mendes (just like he did to Mendes' teammate Urijah Faber), while mixing in his usual punching combinations and flying knees. Aldo by T(KO) in the middle rounds.