UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo dedicated his latest title defence to his supporters after making swift work Chad Mendes.
The boys from Brazil shine at UFC 142
UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo dedicated his latest title defence to his supporters after making swift work of challenger Chad Mendes at UFC 142 in Rio.
The Brazilian star secured his third successive title defence since debuting in the UFC in 2011 with a first-round knockout of Mendes, who started the bout with the confidence of a man with a flawless record.
However, the previously unbeaten American succumbed to a vicious knee to the head with just seconds remaining in the opening round and Aldo leapt upon him before referee Mario Yamasaki prevented any further punishment by ending the fight.
Upon finishing the bout, Aldo stormed out of the Octagon to celebrate with his adoring fans in the arena and he dedicated his performance to the raucous home support.
"This is the spirit I wanted to come out with tonight," Aldo told
UFC.com. "The fans here gave me so much energy. I was so overcome with emotion that I wanted to celebrate with my people."
He added: "We knew Chad was going to try to take me off my feet. We prepared for that and I had a chance to land the knee. It connected and I finished the fight.
"I expected Chad to be a tough guy and he was. He came out very hard and I expected a tough fight, but thankfully I was able to do everything I trained to do and come out with a victory."
Impressive
In the co-main event, home favourite Vitor Belfort earned an impressive submission victory over Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson in an explosive middleweight contest.
Former welterweight Johnson had hardly endeared himself to the Rio faithful by weighing in 12lbs overweight the day before, but bigger wasn't necessarily better as Belfort weathered an early storm to secure victory by rear naked choke in the opening round.
UFC President Dana White was understandably irked by Johnson's lack of professionalism and subsequently decided to cut him from the organisation.
There was also disappointment for Liverpool fighter Terry Etim, who suffered a brutal KO defeat to the outstanding Edson Barboza, who added another British scalp to his record.
After beating Ross Pearson on points last August, Barboza stunned Etim in the final round with a fantastic spinning heel kick which caught the Team Kaobon fighter square on the jaw and rendered him unconscious before he hit the canvas.
It is arguably one of the greatest knock-outs in UFC history and will surely elevate the imposing Barboza to bigger and better things in 2012.
Elsewhere, Erick Silva defeated Carlo Prater by TKO within 29 seconds, only for the decision to be reversed after referee Yamasaki decided Silva had used illegal blows to the back of the head and Rousimar Palhares took home 'Submission of the Night' with a heel hook finish against Mike Massenzio.
