With Lamas booked, Clay Guida steps up to face Chad Mendes at UFC 157

Hot on the heels of his manager stating that Chad Mendes would soon have a high profile fight (although it was rumored to be in April), news comes today that the UFC‘s number one contender at Featherweight will face off with Clay Guida at UFC 157. Originally pulled from the card after Manny Gamburyan was forced to withdraw due to injury, Mendes was campaigning for a bout with fellow top-ranked contender Ricardo Lamas.

When that bout fell apart due to Lamas signing onto a yet-to-be-announced bout, Mendes’ manager Mike Roberts spoke yesterday that Mendes was willing to fight anyone, and would most likely have a high-profile bout in April. But now he is back on the stacked UFC 157 card, where Ronda Rousey will make her UFC debut and Dan Henderson will square off with Lyoto Machida at Light Heavyweight. 

Guida comes into the bout off of a split decision win over the talented Hatsu Hioki at UFC on Fox 6. It was “The Carpenter’s” debut at 145 lbs., and while he took home the victory, many thought he deserved the loss. Mendes will serve as a very tough test for Guida, who looks to make a name for himself in a division that’s fast becoming one of the most talent-laden in the UFC.

On the other side of the Octagon, Chad Mendes will ride in with something to prove. UFC‘s new official rankings set recently marked him as the number-one contender to champion Jose Aldo‘s belt. Mendes has gained some momentum as of late, knocking out both Cody McKenzie and Yaotzin Meza in the first round. However, it was still not that long ago that he found himself on the wrong end of a Jose Aldo highlight knee at UFC 142.

This fact makes it tough for Mendes to stake claim at the next title shot should he get past Guida, who would most likely be another high-quality win away from a title shot himself. This August, Aldo will face off with Anthony Pettis for the Featherweight title belt, and Mendes, as reported yesterday, will be rooting for Pettis in anticipation of a showdown with “Showtime.” 

This bout adds some more fire to the already exciting UFC 157 card. What will the ramifications hold for the suddenly oft talked-about UFC Featherweight division?

HT: VFD Marketing