Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes 2 Headed to Brazil, Headlines UFC 179

UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will return from injury and defend his title against Chad Mendes at UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro, UFC President Dana White announced on Saturday.

The 145-pound rematch, which was originally scheduled for Aug. 2 in Los Angeles before Aldo had to withdraw, will now headline the pay-per-view in Brazil, which takes place at the Maracanazinho Gymnasium on Oct. 25.

Aldo and Mendes were set to headline UFC 176 at Staples Center, but Aldo suffered a neck injury in training and had to step out of the fight. As a result of Aldo’s withdraw, the entire UFC 176 card was canceled, and the fights were rescheduled for later cards.

The UFC 179 featured bout will be the second time the two featherweights clash. The first meeting between Aldo and Mendes occurred at UFC 142 in January of 2012, a bout that saw Aldo win with a devastating knee to Mendes’ chin for the knockout.

UFC 179 currently has no other bouts scheduled for the card, but more fights are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

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