• UFC 142

What use is striking when you're on your back? - Mendes

Chad Mendes is as honest as they come when it comes to his lack of striking skills, but he insists there will be little need for a stand-up game once he gets his hands on Jose Aldo at UFC 142 on Saturday night.

Mendes comes with a very straight-forward game plan in this weekend's main event: keep the fight standing only long enough to set up the takedown. From there, he knows he can put the champion in dangerous territory.

Aldo is one of the best strikers in the sport, let alone in the 145lb division - something that could leave Mendes feeling out of his depth come Saturday night. However, the challenger is convinced his wrestling offence is something Aldo has never had to defend against the likes of Mark Hominick, Kenny Florian and Urijah Faber.

"It's like the Rocky story. What better way to prove to the world that I'm the best 145lb champ?" Mendes asks.

"Jose Aldo's a great champion, I have a lot of respect for the guy, his stand-up is some of the best in the game and he's a black belt in jiu-jitsu.

"But I don't think he's fought anybody with the athleticism, the strength and the wrestling background that I have. The wrestling mentality is always to push the pace, have great cardio and break your opponent.

"Is my striking as good as his? No it's not, but I think I'm good enough to get in there and take him down. I know I have a strong wrestling base, I'm gonna grind him out and make him feel very uncomfortable. It's going to be tough for him to pull off a submission when I'm punching him in the face.

"This is something I've visualised, I'm hungry for it and I will defeat Jose Aldo and take that belt."

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