Chad Mendes: “I don’t shoot; I blast people of their feet with my takedowns.”

If UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo feels he has adequately prepared for Chad Mendes based on having worked with a handful of wrestlers he may have another thing coming when the two lock horns in the main event this Saturday night at UFC 142. While Mendes’ background may be similar to Aldo’s training partners, the 26-year old has a message for the Brazilian title-holder – they aren’t him.

“Aldo is a great champion, but I don’t think he’s fought anybody with the athleticism, the strength, and the wrestling background that I have,” Mendes explained in an interview with the UFC. “I don’t shoot; I blast people of their feet with my takedowns.”

“These guys that have black belts in jiu-jitsu, I’ve pretty much just shut them down basically because of my athleticism and my strength,” the 11-0 Mendes explained of his past opponents who, similar to Aldo, are well-versed in BJJ, adding, “I think it’s going to be tough for him to throw any kind of submission when I’m on top punching him in the face.”

“I don’t think he’s got this big advantage on the ground,” he concluded on the stylistic match-up.

Mendes closed with a prediction displaying exactly how confident he is in his ability to handle the 20-1 Aldo.

“I’m going to go to Brazil and I’m going to take that belt from Aldo. I’m the next featherweight champion of the world.”

Fans can catch Aldo-Mendes in headlining action on PPV when things start up at 10:00 PM EST. Other bouts include Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim and Anthony Johnson vs. Vitor Belfort.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

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MMATraining Take: Mendes’ wrestling is definitely good enough to put Aldo on his backside. However, I think Aldo will be prepared for that scenario and have a very active guard. I’m not sure it will be enough to submit Mendes or even escape his clutches but it should be interesting. I also think Aldo will be hesitant to throw as many kicks as he usually does based on Mendes’ takedowns which could be a factor.