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True to his word, Chad Mendes looked like a fighter reborn in his rematch against Jose Aldo at UFC 179. It just wasn't enough, as Aldo bested Mendes yet again to defend his UFC featherweight title for a record seventh straight time in what proved to be one of the most combustible and dramatic fights of 2014.
While Aldo emerged from Rio de Janeiro the owner of a 49-46 unanimous decision, the scorecards alone sell the fight short. Nearly every round featured numerous harrowing sequences and wild swings of momentum (and even a few moments of controversy). So go ahead, relive all the action from an instant classic with our running timeline from the pros below.
Damn Mendes looks sharp. Just oozing with confidence. #UFC179
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) October 26, 2014
Jose Aldo's hand speed is on FF #UFC179
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2014
Wow, these guys are fast
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) October 26, 2014
Mendes is built like a fucking rhinocerous
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) October 26, 2014
Pressure busts pipes.
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
Tried that jerky movement for about a min :30 now he's standing in front of Aldo #UFC179 @ufc
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) October 26, 2014
Woowww. Not cool!!
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
Omgg!!!!
— Angela Magana UFC (@AngelaMagana1) October 26, 2014
Late shot #UFC179
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) October 26, 2014
Saved by the bell!
— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2014
Dam late hit tho!!!
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) October 26, 2014
Damn. That was crazy!
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) October 26, 2014
This fight right now !!!!
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 26, 2014
Whoa!! saved by the bell!!! holy shit!!!
— Mike Brown (@mikebrownmma) October 26, 2014
ref needs to get more aggressive when the bell rings.
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
#ProtectYourSelfatAllTimes @ufc #UFC179
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) October 26, 2014
What a round tho
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) October 26, 2014
Mendes needs Yoel Romeros stool right now #UFC179
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) October 26, 2014
He is a professional fighter, striking intentionally after the bell should lose you points at bare minimum. Jose cheating is disappointing.
— Bubba Bush (@BubbaBushMMA) October 26, 2014
This fight tho !!! #UFC179 #hyped
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) October 26, 2014
Mendes needs to move more. Stick to the gameplan! #UFC179
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) October 26, 2014
what are the odds that neither man walks upright tomorrrow?
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) October 26, 2014
Gotta keep them fingers shut man.
— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2014
Holy smokes.
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
Holy smokes!
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) October 26, 2014
What a round. Next round is a finish
— Thomas E Watson (@TomKongWatson) October 26, 2014
What a fight!! @ufc
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) October 26, 2014
Aldo 1,2 Mendes 3 ? #UFC179
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2014
Both these guys are here to win !! Best versions of both fighters I've seen ! #UFC179
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
Wow ,what a battle!!
— robbie lawler (@Ruthless_RL) October 26, 2014
Aldo looks tired :(
— Angela Magana UFC (@AngelaMagana1) October 26, 2014
sharing a laugh. i fucking love this sport!!!
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) October 26, 2014
Let's go #JoseAldo awesome fight... Wowwwwwww @ufc_brasil
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) October 26, 2014
Aldo Mendes 2 is simply amazing!
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) October 26, 2014
What a fight! Aldo amazes me honestly #ufc178 @assassinscreed
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 26, 2014
I don't care what anyone says . This fight is easily 2-2 going into the 5th. Aldo 1,2 Mendes 3,4 #UFC179
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2014
It's all about the 5th... I have it even #UFC179
— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) October 26, 2014
Super close rd. How do you score it? Mendes controlled the octagon more, but the striking looked even. 2-2? 3-1?
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) October 26, 2014
That was Mendes' round, but I'm not sure if you can give him any from 1-3, especially in Brazil. He might need a finish #UFC179
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) October 26, 2014
Great fight! I have also winning 49-46
— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2014
Whatever happens Aldo is ready for Halloween
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) October 26, 2014
Now this is why I signed up to fight. Not score points and win. #Hawaii #NickDiazAcademy #UFC179
— Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) October 26, 2014
Amazing fight! Forgot to keep score it was so good lol! Who won? #ufc179
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
Rough day to be a judge......
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) October 26, 2014
So damn close... either way this is going to be a controversial decision. http://t.co/SL4QHXPA0b
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) October 26, 2014
Most heart and technique I've ever seen in the cage. Both Champs in my book
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) October 26, 2014
Nice job @chadmedes on the win I gor you winning 3 rounds to 2 #ufc179
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) October 26, 2014
Damn. 3-2, maybe 4-1 for Aldo from my eyes. As much as I hate to say it. #UFC179
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) October 26, 2014
Aldo impresses again. Has a strong case for #1 p4p #UFC178 @assassinscreed
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 26, 2014
Nice fight lawdddd. And stillllll. Aldo will keep his belt but what an effort by Mendes 48-47 #UFC179
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2014
I just feel like Aldo got the 5th RD by being a lol more aggressive. #UFC179 #AndStill!
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) October 26, 2014
Please let there be an Aldo/Mendes 3. 4 5 6 idgaf
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) October 26, 2014
I'm sorry but that fight was NOT close! I had it 4 rds to 1 for Aldo. The only rd Mendez won was the 4th
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 26, 2014
@chadmedes got absolutely robbed
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) October 26, 2014
"@danhendo: @chadmedes got absolutely robbed" wtf you smoking danny
— Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) October 26, 2014
Great fight! Fuckin love you brother! @chadmendes #UFC179
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) October 26, 2014
49-46? I didn't think Aldo won 4 rounds !
— Louis Gaudinot (@LouGaudinotUFC) October 26, 2014
Wow that was some crazy judging..... @chadmendes if it was a fight in states would of been different. Good job buddy amazing job
— Efrain Escudero (@effyescudero) October 26, 2014
Congrats to Aldo! Looked amazing! Both fighters are in the top of p4p. #ufc179
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
What a fight from @chadmendes I thought you won rounds 3,4, and stole 5. You are the man #inspiration
— Andy Ogle (@thelittleaxe) October 26, 2014
Good decision. Great fight. I'm inspired https://t.co/6KaHieLftY
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) October 26, 2014
@chadmendes that decision was very suspect...great fucking fight it was gangsta as hell #UFC179
— Marcus Brimage (@Brim205) October 26, 2014
Def dont think that fight was unanimous. I live Aldo but...
— Angela Magana UFC (@AngelaMagana1) October 26, 2014
Summary of the night Aldo & Mendes are legit as hell! #UFC179
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2014
Mendes fought a great fight but @josealdojunior shows that he's STILL getting better & STILL the champ. Hell of a fight!!! #UFC179 ⚡️
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 26, 2014
What a great fight. Aldo may be the best fighter ever.
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) October 26, 2014
spoken like a true king #andnowwehaveajoker
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) October 26, 2014
Toasting whiskey to a phenomenal contest. Respect and congrats to both competitors. Rest up well. The King is coming. pic.twitter.com/IY2gc2tKtZ
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 26, 2014
O que eu falei? #Ocinturaoenosso e nao sai daqui!!! What i told you? and still !! all respect for Chad mendes!
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) October 26, 2014
DAVIS STUNS, DOMINATES TEIXEIRA
Now it's time for @PhilMrWonderful to show the world he's one of the best in the world! @AllianceMMA
— Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) October 26, 2014
Nice first round @PhilMrWonderful !!!
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) October 26, 2014
Round 1 Davis
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 26, 2014
Shocked at how easily Phil is doing this. #Impressive #ufc178 @assassinscreed
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 26, 2014
So close on that #RNC in round 2 @PhilMrWonderful #nicework now show me the #deputysheriff !
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) October 26, 2014
Reactive takedowns from @PhilMrWonderful is where it's at. Outclassing & out-grappling Texeira Rnd after rnd. #UFC179
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 26, 2014
Defo 2 rounds to Davis so far.
— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2014
Feel like I'm watching Davis in his college wrestling days. The same exact top control. Just gotta add in a few cradles now. #UFC179
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
I wonder if they will give Phil Davis +1 point for riding time. And 2 near fall for that cradle?
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) October 26, 2014
Phil is looking good staying busy but Glover can turn it sound with one punch @assassinscreed good fight!
— Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) October 26, 2014
Just in case u Dont know what it feels like to be ridden by Phil like this..not fun ive been there.
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2014
Wrestling ride 101 by Phil Davis. Gotta love it! #UFC179
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) October 26, 2014
Good ol American wrestling! Maybe every @PhilMrWonderful fight should be in Brazil
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 26, 2014
Not the biggest Phil Davis fan but that was a great performance #ufc
— Thomas E Watson (@TomKongWatson) October 26, 2014
Nice win @PhilMrWonderful, you worked/murked him
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) October 26, 2014
That's how wrestling can change a fight. Nice job Phil
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) October 26, 2014
Well done to the underdog @PhilMrWonderful . Great control.
— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2014
@PhilMrWonderful goes down to Brazil and wins again
— robbie lawler (@Ruthless_RL) October 26, 2014
Official: Phil Davis scores a UFC career-high 9 takedowns. Prev. high was 5 vs. Prado.
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) October 26, 2014
More official: Davis landed 109 total strikes to just 14 for Teixeira. Davis landed 9 of 18 takedown attempts.
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) October 26, 2014
Phil just blew Nick Diaz's high with that Anderson Silva call out ! #UFC179
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2014
What the hell is going on tonight #zipzap
— AL IAQUINTA (@ALIAQUINTA) October 26, 2014
Phil Davis calling out Silva explains why he will always be a brides mate and never a bride. #WhynoChampionRun ? #ufc179
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) October 26, 2014
MALDONADO SCORES ANOTHER COMEBACK
Damn it, Fabio! Get up!!! #UFC179
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) October 26, 2014
@IamTheImmortal: Hoping Maldonado can make this into a fight. He's one of my faves! @assassinscreed
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 26, 2014
How many round 1's has Maldonado lost I wonder? Let's see if he can pull off another comeback. #ufc179
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 26, 2014
Parabens fiao @MaldonadoMMA
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) October 26, 2014
These dudes get gassed from beating Fabio up in round 1. Then he gets after it. #UFC179
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) October 26, 2014
Maldonado is a real zombie! He comes back from lopsided rounds like a seesaw! #UFC179
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) October 26, 2014
Got to love Maldanado tough as nails and always comes to fight! @assassinscreed #warrior
— Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) October 26, 2014
Apparently Anderson Silva likes Fabio Maldonado
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 26, 2014
Awesome moment with @SpiderAnderson aka the best ever and Maldonado. @assassinscreed #ufc178
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 26, 2014
MMA JUDGING CONTINUES TO FIND NEW WAYS TO SURPRISE
Elkins may be the most explosive guy in the division #UFC179
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 26, 2014
Duck duck knee damn . No one likes that game #UFC179
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2014
Great takedown defence by Martines
— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2014
Elkins is really good at grinding and winning ugly ass fights lol. He is RELENTLESS! Clinching is grueling and VERY tiring #UFC179
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) October 26, 2014
Elkins looks like he's been in a big bar fight mid line dance #UFC179 #UFCTV
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) October 26, 2014
Did I just hear a 30-27 for Martins?! #UFC179
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) October 26, 2014
2 30-27 for 2 different fighters. Unreally Sillyly. Those two words didn't make sense nor did the judging! #UFC179
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2014
DARIUSH GRINDS OUT FERREIRA
This raises some questions. Did Dariush just have one off night? Bc he's completely controlling a very talented Ferreira! #UFC179
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) October 26, 2014
Shit, I just lost 10 push-ups on that fight
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) October 26, 2014
Huge congrats to @beneildariush_ for his win tonight!!!!! @ufc #UFC179
— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) October 26, 2014
Great win for @beneildariush_ in enemy territory against a hot fighter in Ferreira. #strategy #UFC179
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 26, 2014
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