Mendes wrestled for Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. He finished his career with an overall record of 64–14 and twice earned NCAA All-American honors at 125 pounds as a sophomore, then 141 pounds as a senior. As a senior, Mendes finished the year with a 30–1 record; he placed 2nd in the 2008 NCAA championships at 141lb., falling to Ohio State's J Jaggers in the title match.[9] That year, Mendes was Pac-10 Wrestler of the Year.[10]
Mendes made his WEC debut against Erik Koch on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47.[11] 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.[citation needed]
Mendes faced Cub Swanson on August 18, 2010 at WEC 50.[14] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, and 29–28).[15]
Mendes faced Javier Vazquez on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52 and defeated him via unanimous decision.[16] Mendes was able to utilize his improved striking to complement 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.[citation needed]
Mendes made his UFC debut against returning veteran and judo black belt Michihiro Omigawa on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]
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 his fight with Mark Hominick.[20][21] Mendes instead faced Rani Yahya at the event.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]
Mendes next faced Cody McKenzie on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148.[26] He won the fight via first-round TKO due to a body punch.[27]
Mendes was expected to face Hacran Dias on December 15, 2012 at UFC on FX 6.[28] However, in just days before the event, Dias pulled out of the bout, citing a shoulder injury, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Yaotzin Meza.[29] Mendes defeated Meza via KO at 3:38 in the first round.[30]
Mendes was expected to face Manvel Gamburyan on February 23, 2013 at UFC 157.[31] However, Gamburyan pulled out of the bout, citing a thumb injury.[32] Subsequently, Mendes was pulled from the card as a suitable replacement could not be found on short notice.[33]
Mendes was expected to face Clay Guida on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.[34] However, it was revealed on March 15 that Guida had pulled out of the bout, citing an injury,[35] and he was replaced by Darren Elkins.[36] Mendes won the fight by TKO at 1:08 in the first round.[37]
A rescheduled bout with Guida took place on August 31, 2013 at UFC 164.[38] 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.[39][40]
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.[43] However, in early July, Aldo pulled out of the bout with an injury.[44] The rematch with Aldo was subsequently rescheduled and took place on October 25, 2014, at UFC 179.[45] He became the first man to knock down Aldo 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 unanimous decision.[46] Despite the loss on the scorecards, Mendes was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award for the bout.[47] The fight won World MMA Awards 2015 fight of the year award.[48]
Mendes faced Ricardo Lamas on April 4, 2015 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 63.[49] Mendes won the fight via TKO in the first round.[50] The win also earned Mendes his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[51]
On May 18, 2015, Dana White tweeted that Chad Mendes had agreed to an eight-fight contract with UFC.[52]
José Aldo was expected to face Conor McGregor on July 11, 2015 at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship.[53] 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.[54] Mendes lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[55]
Mendes faced Alexander Volkanovski on December 29, 2018 at UFC 232.[61] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[62] This fight earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[63] Following the loss, Mendes announced his retirement from the sport.[64]
Bare-knuckle boxing career
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
On August 4, 2021, Mendes announced that he was released from his UFC contract by his own request and signed a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.[65] However, he later reiterated that he was still under contract with the UFC, but was given exemption to compete in bare-knuckle.[66] He was initially expected to make his debut at a BKFC event on October 22, 2021, but that was postponed on two occasions.[65][67] He debuted on February 19, 2022 at KnuckleMania 2 defeating Joshuah Alvarez by technical knockout.[68]
On April 29, 2023, Mendes faced Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 41 and lost by split decision.[69][70] He announced his retirement from combat sports after the bout. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[71]
Doping violations 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.[72] 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."[73] He claims the cause was from a topical cream used to treat his psoriasis, however, on July 20, 2016, USADA reported that Mendes tested positive for GHRP-6, a growth hormone release stimulator, and suspended Mendes for 2 years.[74] He was not eligible to compete again until June 10, 2018.[75]
Submission grappling
Mendes competed in Submission Underground 3 on January 30, 2017, where he defeated Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and 27 time Grapplers Quest champion, Jeff Glover in overtime.[76]
Mendes was scheduled to face Kevin Lee at ADXC 5 on August 3, 2024.[77] Lee was replaced by Diego Brandão on short notice, and Mendes won the match by decision.[78]
Mendes and his wife Abby have a daughter (born 2019).[80]
Mendes founded the hunting and fishing guide service Finz and Featherz.[81]
Mendes was charged with battery for his 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.[82] The charges were dropped after Mendes pleaded no contest to a count of public disturbance and paid a fine.[83]
Urijah Faber is an American former mixed martial artist and actor. He competed at bantamweight and featherweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is also the founder of Team Alpha Male.
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Jeremy Stephens is an American professional mixed martial artist, bare-knuckle boxer and professional boxer, who competes in the Lightweight division. A professional since 2005, he spent 15 years and competed in 33 bouts in the UFC's Featherweight and Lightweight divisions and also spent time in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Mark Hominick is a Canadian retired mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he was the inaugural Featherweight title challenger, the WEC, and Affliction. He is also a former TKO Featherweight Champion. He was well known for his outstanding boxing skills and very accurate punching techniques, often utilizing the jab.
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Kevin Luke "Cub" Swanson is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2004, Swanson is tied for the most post-fight bonus awards in UFC Featherweight division history with ten, including his WEC tenure he has been awarded "Fight of the Night" honors eleven times.
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José Aldo da Silva Oliveira Júnior, known as José Aldo, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and professional boxer who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after previously competing at Featherweight, and was the fourth and final WEC Featherweight Champion. He became the first UFC Featherweight Champion following the UFC/WEC merger. Aldo is considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, and is often regarded as the greatest featherweight of all time after defending his UFC title seven times and his WEC title twice.
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Erik Jon Koch is an American mixed martial artist who last competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2007, he formerly competed for the WEC.
Anthony Paul Pettis is an American professional mixed martial artist, and professional boxer. Pettis formerly fought in the Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Professional Fighters League (PFL). He is a former UFC Lightweight Champion. Pettis was also the final WEC Lightweight Champion prior to the promotion being merged into the UFC.
Joey Beltran is an American bare-knuckle fighter and mixed martial artist. A professional mixed martial artist since 2007, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce, and King of the Cage. He also competed in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship where he was the former BKFC Heavyweight Champion.
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