For a little while it seemed like nobody wanted to fight Chad Mendes, or at least that’s what some fans have come to feel after it seemed everybody pulled out of bouts against the former title contender, citing injury after injury.
After Clay Guida pulled out of his fight with Mendes at UFC on FOX 7 in San Jose, the owner of perhaps the quietest five fight winning streak in the history of the UFC, Darren Elkins stepped up; boldly seizing the opportunity to make his sixth straight victory, should it happen Saturday night, more than noticeable.
Elkins (16-2) comes into the fight Saturday night on the aforementioned five fight winning streak, last time out silencing a few critics with a first round TKO of Antonio Carvalho in the first round. After going 1-1 at 155 lbs, Elkins dropped down to featherweight where his trademark toughness, grinding wrestling style, and top notch cardio allowed him to come away with four straight decision wins before the TKO of Carvalho just last month.
Before the TKO over Carvalho, although it was a tad controversial because of an early stoppage, Elkins was best known for being able to survive a first round beating at the hands of former Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Brandao. After surviving the early storm, Elkins’ cardio was key as he was able to ground the explosive, however winded, Brandao for the remaining two rounds, earning him a clear decision victory. Even after landing a big punch on his feet that signaled the end of Carvalho’s night, Elkins clearest path to victory remains getting a takedown and grinding his opponents from top position.
Mendes (13-1) comes into the bout fresh off a KO that left no room for controversy, knocking out yet another late replacement in Yaotzin Meza less than two minutes into the first round of their bout last December. Mendes only loss came at the hands of champion Jose Aldo, who knocked Mendes with a vicious knee that Mendes never saw coming with just one second left in the first round. Since that fight Mendes has destroyed both Cody McKenzie and Meza on the feet, showing improved striking to go along with his dominate wrestling.
Mendes is another one former collegiate wrestler turned mixed martial artist thanks to Team Alpha Male. His bread and butter is his wrestling and his elite athleticism, but his striking is improving every fight and it will be interesting to see what improvement he will show being now under the tutelage of Duane Ludwig as well.
Four of his teammates have turned in dominate wins since Ludwig has joined the team as head coach and he should be noted Ludwig fought and lost to Elkins at 155 lbs. Mendes will be no doubt looking to make another statement against Elkins this Saturday night, and with another win he should be right there in the title picture.
Not a lot of guys were lining up to fight Mendes, so we must give credit where it is due to Mr. Elkins. However, I just don’t see how Elkins can pick up a win here. Mendes is the superior wrestler, has shown better and more powerful striking, and unlike some previous foes cardio is never a question for “Money.”
I can see Chad forcing this fight to stay on the feet, where his speed, power, and technical savvy should allow him to force a stoppage in a fight I doubt last more than a round, even given the toughness of Elkins. “Money” is on another level here, and I predict he picks up a TKO by referee stoppage in the first round.