Chad Mendes On Nik Lentz: He Hasn’t Earned The Right To Be Cocky

Chad ‘Money’ Mendes and Nik Lentz are set to collide at UFC on Fox 9, in a battle that could arguably decide the next rightful contender to the Featherweight title. Mendes is on a tear at present, notching consecutive T/KO wins over Cody McKenzie, Yaotzin Meza, Darren Elkins and Clay Guida; meaning a win over Lentz could very well be his ticket to a rematch of the 2012 meeting with Jose Aldo.

Lentz has been in beast mode since dropping to 145 in August 2012, knocking out Eiji Mitsuoka in his FW debut and notching hard fought victories over Brazilians Diego Nunes and Hacran Dias in their own back yards. It’s no small task taking out highly touted prospects in their hometown, although Chad Mendes might disagree:

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“His demeanor, the way he thinks he’s going to run through me. He’s cocky. I just don’t like it. No (He hasn’t earned the right to be cocky). Said ‘Money’ while talking to MMAMania.com “ I don’t think he’s fought anybody of my caliber. He’s never fought anybody as athletic”

Although I may not be the biggest Nik Lentz fan, I’ve never really seen him as a cocky individual. A fair amount of confidence is essential when talking about fighter mentality, Mendes continues:

“He’s got a big head on his shoulders and he talks a lot. But we’re going to see Saturday night what happens. He’s going to fight someone that’s a true No. 1 contender and he’s going to feel it.”

Not many people would envy Lentz’s position of facing a knockout machine like Mendes, the Team Alpha Male product has been putting out lights like power cuts ever since Duane Ludwig injected his Muay Thai training style in to the gyms ethos.

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Lentz is renowned for being one hell of a tough customer, and the beatings he took at the hands of Evan Dunham and Charles Oliveira prove that. But does he have the chin to withstand Mendes’ power? My gut tells me no.

If Lentz is able to ride out the early storm, what payback does he have to offer? His wrestling is possibly on par with Mendes’, but it would seem that ‘Money’ has the upper hand in reality.