Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports
UFC 164 features stacked card from top to bottom. One of the most exciting bouts on the card is a featherweight showdown between Chad Mendes and Clay Guida. The winner of this bout has the chance to fight for the title, and rightfully should, against Jose Aldo, who is considered one of the best fighters on the planet right now.
Coming into this bout, Mendes is on an impressive winning streak, all of which have been by way of KO or TKO. Since losing to Aldo for the featherweight championship, Mendes has gone 3-0 and all have been impressive finishes. He has beat the likes of Darren Elkins and Cody McKenzie. If he can get one more win under his belt, he is due a title shot.
Guida comes into this bout off a controversial split decision win over grappler wizard Hatsu Hioki. In the bout Guida was able to get takedowns, but he didn’t do a lot from the top. Before this bout, Guida lost a fight to Gray Maynard, which was the worst he’s looked in years, often circling away from Maynard rather than fighting. If Guida wants to achieve his title aspirations he will need to get an impressive win against Mendes.
In terms of the stylistic match up, Mendes has a lot of ways to win. He has the better power, and with the recent addition of striker coach Duane Ludwig in his camp, he has the chance to get another impressive finish. Also, Mendes is one of the best wrestlers in the featherweight division, so Guida certainly has his hands full.
Whoever comes out the winner of this bout will put their name in the mix to challenge for the title.
