Chad Mendes

NCAA

Mendes wrestled for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. He finished his career with an overall record of 64–14 and twice earned NCAA All-American honors. As a senior, Mendes finished the year with a 30–1 record; he placed 2nd in the 2008 NCAA championships at 141 lb., falling to Ohio State's J Jaggers in the title match. That year, Mendes was Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year.

Early career

After the conclusion of his collegiate career, Mendes began to train with the mixed martial arts team Team Alpha Male. He began fighting for the Palace Fighting Championship and went undefeated.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Mendes made his WEC debut against Erik Koch on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47. He won the fight via unanimous decision, despite a cut over his right eye that was examined during the fight to see if he could continue.

Mendes faced Anthony Morrison, replacing an injured Mackens Semerzier, on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48. He won via first round submission.

Mendes faced Cub Swanson on August 18, 2010 at WEC 50. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Mendes faced Javier Vazquez on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52 and defeated him via unanimous decision. Mendes was able to utilize his improved striking to compliment his superior wrestling to dictate where he wanted to take the action. During the fight, Mendes used an unorthodox move when he front flipped on Vazquez who was on the ground, to land on him.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.

Mendes made his UFC debut against returning veteran and judo black belt Michihiro Omigawa on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126. He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).

Following UFC 129, Dana White mentioned in the post-fight press conference that Mendes may have a shot at the title against UFC featherweight champion José Aldo. Although the two were expected to fight on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133, Aldo would be sidelined until October recovering from various injuries sustained during the Hominick bout. Mendes instead faced Rani Yahya at the event. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Mendes fought UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo on January 14, 2012 at UFC 142, losing at 4:59 of the first round via KO, giving Mendes his first professional loss.

Mendes next faced Cody McKenzie on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148. He won the fight via first-round KO due to a body punch.

Mendes was expected to face Hacran Dias on December 15, 2012 at UFC on FX 6. However just days before the event, Dias pulled out of the bout citing a shoulder injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Yaotzin Meza. Mendes defeated Meza via KO at 3:38 in the first round.

Mendes was expected to face Manvel Gamburyan on February 23, 2013 at UFC 157. However, Gamburyan pulled out of the bout, citing a thumb injury. Subsequently, Mendes was pulled from the card as a suitable replacement could not be found on short notice.

Mendes was expected to face Clay Guida on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7. However it was revealed on March 15 that Guida had pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Darren Elkins. Mendes won the fight by TKO at 1:08 in the first round.

A rescheduled bout with Guida took place on August 31, 2013 at UFC 164. After a close first and second round, Mendes finished Guida via TKO by punches in the third round and became the first man to ever finish Guida by strikes. The win also earned Mendes his first Knockout of the Night bonus award.

Mendes faced Nik Lentz on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

A rematch with José Aldo was expected to take place on August 2, 2014 as the event headliner at UFC 176 for the UFC Featherweight Championship. However, in early July, Aldo pulled out of the bout with an injury. The rematch with Aldo was subsequently rescheduled and took place on October 25, 2014 at UFC 179. He became the first man to knock down Aldo by dropping him with a left hand, in the first round, Mendes and Aldo both rocked each other with clean punches, Mendes would go on to lose the fight via a very close unanimous decision. Despite the loss on the scorecards, Mendes was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award for the bout. The fight won World MMA Awards 2015 fight of the year award.

Mendes faced Ricardo Lamas on April 4, 2015 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 63. Mendes won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also earned Mendes his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

On May 18, 2015 Dana White tweeted that Chad Mendes had agreed to an eight-fight contract with UFC.

José Aldo was expected to face Conor McGregor on July 11, 2015 at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship. However, in the days leading up to the fight, Aldo pulled out of the bout because of a rib injury he sustained in training. Mendes stepped in as a short notice replacement to face McGregor for the interim championship. McGregor won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Mendes faced Frankie Edgar on December 11, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Doping Violation and Suspension

On June 10, 2016, the UFC announced that Mendes had been informed of a potential doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition test conducted by USADA. Mendes responded, "I didn't do my homework and that was a big mistake. I own it and I'm going to pay for it." On July 20, 2016, USADA reported that Mendes tested positive for GHRP-6, a growth hormone release stimulator, and suspended Mendes for 2 years. He will not be eligible to compete again until June 10, 2018.

Submission Grappling

Mendes competed in Submission Underground 3 on January 30, 2017, where he submitted Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and 27 time Grapplers Quest champion, Jeff Glover in overtime.

Personal life

Mendes is of Portuguese, Italian, Puerto Rican, Irish, and American Indian descent.

Mendes founded the hunting and fishing guide service Finz and Featherz.

Battery charges

Mendes was charged with battery for alleged involvement in a bar fight on July 29, 2012 in his hometown of Hanford, California. The Kings County District Attorney’s Office announced on August 25, 2012, that it would seek a battery charge against Mendes. The charges were dropped after Mendes pleaded no contest to a count of public disturbance and paid a fine.

Mixed martial arts

Collegiate wrestling