About Chad Mendes
The bottom line is that if you are able to make it to a college national championship battle in wrestling, you’re likely to become a more than solid MMA fighter. Such is the case with Chad Mendes. Here is his story.
- Date of Birth: Chad Edward Mendes was born on May 1, 1985, in Hanford, California.
- Training Camp, Fighting Organization, and Weight Class: Mendes trains with Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, better known as the home of Urijah Faber. He fights in the featherweight division for the UFC.
Wrestling History
At the age of five, Mendes started grappling. He was a top-tier high school grappler from California who three times placed in the top 10 in the state. He continued wrestling for California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo from there, where he ended his career with a stellar 64-14 record. He finished the season as the top-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds as a senior, but he fell to Ohio State’s Jaggers in the championship match.
Mendes was recognized as the PAC-10 Wrestler of the Year in 2008. He was twice named to the All-American team.
Hero
Mendes describes his father as an idol on his UFC profile, saying that “he has really shown me what it means to never quit” and that “he has gone through a lot in his life.”
Initial MMA Career
After graduation, Mendes started working out with Team Alpha Male’s Urijah Faber, whom he had first met in high school. On September 26, 2008, he used a rear naked choke to defeat Giovanni Encarnacion and earn his first MMA victory as a professional. He really won his first five fights before joining the WEC, where he won his first match against Erik Koch.
UFC Contacts Me
Mendes joined the UFC when the WEC was absorbed into it. On February 5, 2011, he defeated Michihiro Omigawa by decision in his UFC debut ( UFC 126).
Combative Style
Mendes has a reputation for having quick reflexes. In other words, he moves quickly into and out of range and has incredibly quick hands. He benefits from this because his reach is not very long. Additionally, he is a great wrestler with a difficult shot to stop. When combined, this fighting strategy produces many convincing decisions wins because knockout power is not always present.
