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Jose Aldo retains his UFC Featherweight Title with a first round knockout of Chad Mendes at UFC 142 today. Aldo demonstrated his trademark ‘soccer’ leg kicks against Mendes who did his best to stay away from them and try and time his takedowns, some of which were pretty deep. Aldo’s impeccable takedown defense was too good for Mendes who, even when succeeding in taking Jose down one time, was able to spring back to his feet immediately.
Mendes got around behind Aldo and pinned him against the cage towards the end of the round and was trying to wear Aldo’s legs out by throwing some knees into his thighs but Aldo spun out of it and, as the two of them separated, threw a nasty knee that knocked Mendes flat on his back and followed up with three punches before the ref jumped in and stopped the fight at 4:59 of the first round.
Vitor Belfort also showed why he was still one of Brazil’s favorite fighters with a first round submission win over Anthony Johnson. Johnson came out very aggressively and scored a couple of takedowns during the round and hit Belfort with some punches on the ground that caused some swelling over his right eye. Joe Mergliotta seemd to be standing them up rather quickly I thought, not allowing Johnson to work very much. Belfort kept his composure throughout and during a scramble to get to their feet, managed to get Johnson’s back.
He softened Johnson up with some punches who was defending the rear naked choke, but Vitor persisted and snuck his right forearm under Johnson’s chin and finished him with a gable grip rear choke. Im sure the UFC fans in Rio will be celebrating Belfort’s and Aldo’s victories tonight.
UFC 142 Results
Preliminary card (Facebook)
- Arantes defeated Carvalho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). This bout was aired on the FX broadcast following the Gonzaga vs. Oliveira fight.
Preliminary card (FX)
- Pyle defeated Funch via TKO (knee and punches) at 1:22 of round 1. This bout was aired on the PPV broadcast following the Aldo vs. Mendes fight.
- Alcantara defeated Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).
- Gonzaga defeated Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:22 of round 1. This bout was aired on the PPV broadcast following the Funch vs. Pyle fight.
- Tavares defeated Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). This bout was aired on the PPV broadcast following the Gonzaga vs. Oliveira fight.
Main card
- Barboza defeated Etim via KO (wheel kick) at 2:02 of round 3.
- Prater defeated Silva via disqualification (illegal blows to back of head) at 0:29 of round 1.
- Palhares defeated Massenzio via submission (heel hook) at 1:03 of round 1.
- Belfort defeated Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:49 of round 1.
- Aldo defeated Mendes via KO (knee and punches) at 4:59 of round 1 to retain the UFC Featherweight Championship.
