Chad Mendes returned at UFC Boise, and picked up a big knockout win over Myles Jury that could put him back in the top five at featherweight.
Chad Mendes has been off the past two years with a USADA suspension, but he returned to the featherweight division at UFC Boise and put the whole division on notice with a big knockout win. Finishing off the number twelve ranked Myles Jury, Mendes was nothing but ‘Money’ on Saturday in Idaho. Jury, no slouch, was on a two fight winning streak going into the bout and had been looking to build a streak that could break him into the top ten. Chad Mendes, however, had other ideas.
It took some time but eventually Mendes landed a giant left hand that dropped Jury in the opening round. Mendes then jumped on his fallen foe and landed tons of ground and pound. That finished the fight, and just like that, Chad Mendes was back.
The punch that set it up. @ChadMendes #UFCBoise pic.twitter.com/nagOKsJg6r
— UFC (@ufc) July 15, 2018
It’s entirely possible that the time off may have helped Chad Mendes. A the very least, he went through some wars with the likes of Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor. With time away to focus on training, he may have become a sharper, better fighter. He looked fresh, patient and finished Myles Jury with what seemed like little effort. It will be interesting to see where ‘Money’ Mendes lands in the rankings as he was a top guy before he left, and it seems little has changed upon his return.
After the bout, Mendes jokingly called out Brock Lesnar, before turning his focus on the top half of the division’s top ten.
Chad Mendes def. Myles Jury by TKO, Round 1, 2:52
