50 MMA Fights You Must Watch Before You Die
9. Jose Aldo Vs. Chad Mendes 2 - UFC 179
Jose Aldo's reign as UFC champion had a fair few captivating fights. However, the best bout of his tenure as the champ was against Chad Mendes in their incredible rematch. Their previous fight only lasted one round as Aldo smashed his knee into Mendes' face. Their rematch was far more back and forth, as Mendes simply refused to give in to Aldo's attacks at any point during the bout.
In the first two rounds, Aldo attacked Mendes in typical fashion, using his devastating leg kicks to chop the American down and powerful hooks to put him on his backside. While it looked like it was going to be a routine victory for the champ, Mendes stormed back in the third and fourth round.
A vicious uppercut and stunning left hook from the American sent Aldo tumbling across the Octagon. Mendes continued the pressure, taking the champion by surprise and landing solid combinations to take Aldo completely out of his rhythm.
Despite taking a battering over the previous two rounds, Aldo proved how much of a champion he is as he took the fight to an exhausted Mendes in the final round. The Brazilian battered Mendes around the Octagon, with his countrymen cheering him on the way to victory.