UFC 179 took place on Saturday night at the Maracanazinho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in the main event, Jose Aldo retained the UFC featherweight title with a decision victory over Chad Mendes in a fight of the year candidate.
Aldo and Mendes would battle on the feet for a majority of the fight and one of the most controversial moments of the fight came at the end of the first round when Aldo landed a combination after the bell sounded.
Check out how members of the MMA media reacted to the entire fight, including their thoughts on Aldo landing a combination after the bell sounded to end the first round.
Aldo looks fast and sharp, which is nice, but Mendes is taking it to him in round one. Very assertive, scoring with assorted left hands.
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) October 26, 2014
Just a tad late.
— Greg Savage (@TheSavageTruth) October 26, 2014
What was that? Wow. Cheap shot by Aldo after the bell.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) October 26, 2014
Holy moly, that was some lateness. TWO PUNCHES late. That’s brutal.
— Matt Erickson (@MMAjunkieMatt) October 26, 2014
That should be a docked point minimum, almost a DQ
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) October 26, 2014
Really? Just a warning for cold-cocking someone a few seconds after the bell?
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) October 26, 2014
That was a hell of a first round, but man, there’s no way you can let something like that go.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) October 26, 2014
Regardless of whether Aldo wins this, Mendes is clearly a markedly better fighter and his striking success was not the product of wack comp.
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) October 26, 2014
Late punches aside, this is a great, great fight so far. The narrative about Mendes’ growth is completely on-point.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) October 26, 2014
Well, this fights getting out of control. Marc Goddard not making his case as a title-fight ref.
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) October 26, 2014
I keep seeing everyone writing off Mendes but have you all forgot how Aldo has looked in the championship rounds? Still up for grabs.
— Greg Savage (@TheSavageTruth) October 26, 2014
This is getting good…
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) October 26, 2014
This is one of the best fights this year. So competitive. 29-28 Aldo I think #UFC179
— James Lynch (@LynchOnSports) October 26, 2014
Worth the price of admission.
— Steven Marrocco (@MMAjunkieSteven) October 26, 2014
Love Aldo’s answers under pressure. Every time Mendes scores Aldo unleashes the beast.
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) October 26, 2014
What a great championship fight. Home crowd should go home happy. I think Aldo retains.
— Greg Savage (@TheSavageTruth) October 26, 2014
Judges got it right. Fight of the Year contender for sure.
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) October 26, 2014
Jose Aldo: The court is complete here. I’m the king. Chad is the prince. And now we have a joker.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) October 26, 2014
UFC 179 Result: Jose Aldo def. Chad Mendes via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to retain UFC featherweight title
— The MMA Report (@TheMMAReport) October 26, 2014