Mendes opened with a left hook, then another, both of which landed. Aldo came down the center with a combination but missed.
The challenger perfectly timed a double leg takedown and completed it with ease. Aldo pushed up to get his back against the fence, but "Money" wouldn't let go. All this was taking up precious time, so the referee reminded Mendes that he needed to do something, anything, to continue the action, as opposed to simply laying on the champion.
Aldo managed to get to his feet and he had a renewed aggression. Another combination down the pipe landed clean. He kept coming forward and Mendes ended up going full turtle near the fence for a short time.
When nothing was doing there, they reset in the center once more.
Aldo clocked Mendes with another right hand.
With just one minute remaining, there was little action. Mendes jumped in with a punch and Aldo easily slipped it. A low leg kick was checked. Aldo countered with a left hand that hurt Mendes. He pushed ahead with more offense to close the frame and that was that on a thrilling title affair.
Jose Aldo def. Chad Mendes via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
For more on "Aldo vs. Mendes 2" click here, and for complete UFC 179 results and blow-by-blow coverage of all the night's action click here.
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