After being KO'd in the final second of the first round against Jose Aldo, this would set back most fighters in a major way. However Mendes has stormed back in a big way since then. He has laid waste to his opponents in a combined total of under 2 minutes. Not only has he looked stronger and hungrier in his bid back to the top but he's been finishing fights when when many fans have complained about his lack of finished fights in the big leagues. Mendes has been looking better than ever and my question is. How far away is this rejuvenated version of Mendes from another title shot and what fights would you like to see him have working his way back to another title shot?
Has he ever beaten a top 10 fighter? His last 2 fights he looked good thanks to the competition imo edit: wow he beat Cub. give him a top 5 fighter Dustin maybe
Hacran Dias. He was supposed to fight him before he injured himself a week before the fight, so they should make that matchup now... when Dias is well, I mean. Or a fight with the Korean Zombie would be cool. Omigawa was ranked in the top 5 when he beat him. And Yahya, Swanson and Koch are all respectable wins as well. And everyone knew the Mckenzie fight was ridiculous (though he did have the Mckenzie-teen in case it went to the ground), but he only fought that Metzin dude cuz' Hacran Dias injured himself a week before the fight and had to pull out.
Korean Zombie fight would be awesome. I would also like to see him fight Siver eventually too. He's still a young fighter and has some great fights ahead of him.
They're not going to let him fight a contender. Because he would probably beat the contender and mess up the "plans". A guy like him should have had tougher fights for his last two.
Depending on how bad Hacran Dias was injured, I think they should just restore that matchup. If Dias is going to be out for a while, give him the winner of Guida/Hioki.
HA! I'd laugh even harder if they set this fight up. Why not give Chad another highlight reel finish before he fights top guys again?
this is a good idea for two reasons 1. mendes makes easy cash 2. garcia may finally be cut. it would be a late Christmas present for me.
Like I stated before, he needs to fight someone with some kind of momentum as well. He needs to be fighting top level fighters.
An early KO in a Title Fight hasn't held Cain back. I agree with everything you are saying about Mendes. I would love to see a Mendes/Edgar fight. There is no better FW, aside from Aldo until Chad proves differently, better than Mendes. There has been a tremendous influx of talent to FW. Some great fights for Mendes. I think time is on the side of Mendes. I'd like to see Mendes/KZ and the outcome of Aldo/Edgar. I believe he'll be ready for a Title Fight at that point.
That is a wicked idea but I have a feeling they want to push the Diamond up the ladder and into a title shot soon. Therefore I see them avoiding this fight and keep Mendes and Poirier on track for title shots.