Mateus Mendonca
Bocao
Brazil
Remains winless in UFC
Mendonca lost to Jesus Aguilar via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Mexico City.
ANALYSIS
This fight was a true coin toss that could have gone either way. Mateus had success with his wrestling game all night long, landing 4-of-8 takedown attempts for 8:44 worth of control time, but it was the final round in which he appeared to finally make some headway. He won the frame on all three scorecards, but Mendonca was in need of a stoppage in the eyes of two of the three judges, so he walked away with a split decision defeat. Mendonca scored a 48-second knockout win on Dana White's Contender Series in September 2022, but he's now lost each of his first three official bouts with the company. His roster spot is firmly in jeopardy.
This fight was a true coin toss that could have gone either way. Mateus had success with his wrestling game all night long, landing 4-of-8 takedown attempts for 8:44 worth of control time, but it was the final round in which he appeared to finally make some headway. He won the frame on all three scorecards, but Mendonca was in need of a stoppage in the eyes of two of the three judges, so he walked away with a split decision defeat. Mendonca scored a 48-second knockout win on Dana White's Contender Series in September 2022, but he's now lost each of his first three official bouts with the company. His roster spot is firmly in jeopardy.
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Matched up against Aguilar
Mendonca will fight Jesus Aguilar at UFC Mexico on Feb. 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Mendonca has yet to record his first UFC win through two fights, losing to Javid Basharat and Nate Maness. Aguilar won his most recent bout, and another loss for Mendonca could spell trouble for his future with the promotion.
Mendonca has yet to record his first UFC win through two fights, losing to Javid Basharat and Nate Maness. Aguilar won his most recent bout, and another loss for Mendonca could spell trouble for his future with the promotion.
Finished as heavy favorite
Mendonca lost to Nate Maness via TKO (punches) at 4:40 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
What a disaster. Entering as a massive -290 favorite, Mendonca has no one to blame for this loss but himself. He spent this entire bout hell bent on getting Maness to the mat. He was then hell bent on trying to clamp on a leg lock. Mendonca failed miserably on both fronts, allowing Maness to eventually fight off the attempts and and pop his grounded opponent with repeated massive blows. Fight IQ is nearly as important as your physical gifts and the Brazilian proved to be severely lacking in that area on this night. The 24-year-old has now lost each of his first two UFC bouts. It remains to be seen if he will be granted a third opportunity.
What a disaster. Entering as a massive -290 favorite, Mendonca has no one to blame for this loss but himself. He spent this entire bout hell bent on getting Maness to the mat. He was then hell bent on trying to clamp on a leg lock. Mendonca failed miserably on both fronts, allowing Maness to eventually fight off the attempts and and pop his grounded opponent with repeated massive blows. Fight IQ is nearly as important as your physical gifts and the Brazilian proved to be severely lacking in that area on this night. The 24-year-old has now lost each of his first two UFC bouts. It remains to be seen if he will be granted a third opportunity.
Set to fight Joseph Maness
Mendonca is set to take on Joseph Maness at a UFC event on Oct. 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Mendonca's second fight of the year and with the UFC is officially scheduled against a much more experienced fighter in Maness. Though they share a similar wing span, Mendonca stands four-inches shorter than Maness. Mendonca has not fought since his Jan. 14 loss to Javid Basharat.
Mendonca's second fight of the year and with the UFC is officially scheduled against a much more experienced fighter in Maness. Though they share a similar wing span, Mendonca stands four-inches shorter than Maness. Mendonca has not fought since his Jan. 14 loss to Javid Basharat.
Will not fight Castaneda
Mendonca will not fight John Castaneda at UFC Vegas 74, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
It appears Mendonca will have to sit out UFC Vegas 74 due to an undisclosed problem. Instead of Mendonca, Castaneda will fight Muin Gafurov at the June 3 event.
It appears Mendonca will have to sit out UFC Vegas 74 due to an undisclosed problem. Instead of Mendonca, Castaneda will fight Muin Gafurov at the June 3 event.
Hoping for better luck in second bout
Mendonca will take on John Castaneda at UFC Vegas 74, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Mendonca battled tough, but was ultimately defeated by unanimous decision by Javid Basharat in January in his UFC debut. He will get a fighter in Castaneda who is 2-2 since joining the promotion.
Mendonca battled tough, but was ultimately defeated by unanimous decision by Javid Basharat in January in his UFC debut. He will get a fighter in Castaneda who is 2-2 since joining the promotion.