For someone like Chad Mendes, churning out that credible performance against Connor McGregor despite only three weeks of preparation is an achievement on its own.
Mendes had a golden opportunity to pull the rug from under the Irishman had it not for that risky choice of applying a guillotine choke hold that failed to connect. And such provided an opening for McGregor to break free and unfurl his expected offensive prowess, leading to Mendes' defeat.
Mendes was obviously out of shape. He was not conditioned for the match as he had been told three weeks prior. So now it is up in the air — what if Mendes had the proper time to train? Could the outcome have been different?
As far as Mendes is concerned, it could have been.
"Sometimes [I] lay in bed still thinking about it. It's definitely going to take some time to get over it, but you know, that's just part of the game," says Mendes via MMAfighting.com.
Despite the loss, Mendes did take home a good day's pay. Also, he retains his no.3 ranking in the UFC featherweight division. Hence, a rematch could happen, although it may likely be after 2015.
This is because the UFC has set up McGregor to face Jose Aldo this coming December. For those who are unaware, Aldo is the same guy whom Mendes replaced after the Brazilian fighter had to beg off due to a rib fracture sustained in practice.
Thus, a rematch could happen only by 2016, which should give Mendes ample time to recuperate from UFC 189.
But would the case still be the same assuming McGregor loses to Aldo? Would this not change the entire setting based on their rankings?
Whatever happens, Mendes has payback in his mind. It seems that getting another crack at the Irishman is what he wants to happen, whether he is the champion or not.
