The UFC featherweight championship rematch between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes which was expected to take place at UFC 176 has now been moved to UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro.
UFC President Dana White made the announcement at the UFC on FOX 12 post-fight press conference.
Aldo was forced to withdraw from his UFC 176 fight with Mendes due to a neck and spine injury.
Aldo (24-1), also known as “Scarface,” was the WEC’s 145 lbs. kingpin before the promotion was absorbed and the division brought into the UFC. Now, the only man to ever defend the featherweight strap in the Octagon is one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world. Last seen cruising to a unanimous decision victory over Ricardo Lamas at UFC 169, the leading light of Nova Uniao fight team will be looking to make history repeat itself in his rematch with Mendes.
“Money” Mendes (16-1) rebounded strong after suffering the only defeat of his career in his first shot at Aldo and the featherweight crown. His current 5 fight winning streak began with a starching of Cody Mackenzie at UFC 148, and last saw him take a dominant decision over Nik Lentz at UFC on FOX 9.
UFC 179 goes down on October 25 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
