That's because Chad Mendes has been booked, just like he wanted to be, for UFC 133 on Aug. 6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania against Rani Yahya.
The promotion brought word of the pending match-up earlier today, saying:
"With featherweight champion Jose Aldo's exact return date to the Octagon uncertain, #1 undefeated featherweight contender Chad Mendes looks to stay active by taking on the extremely dangerous submissions specialist Rani Yahya," said Dana White. Mendes and Yahya have verbally agreed to an August 6th bout at UFC 133 in Philadelphia.Indeed, Jose Aldo recently stated he would not be ready in time to hit up "The City of Brotherly Love," opting instead to get healthy for his next title defense.
That left Mendes with a choice -- fight or wait. The "Alpha Male" went with the former, risking his status as top contender in the name of staying active.
Get ready, Philly; here comes the "Money."
Rani Yahya was likely on the cusp of losing his job after dropping consecutive fights against top bantamweight contenders Joseph Benavidez and Takeya Mizugaki just four months apart.
Naturally, the veteran submission specialist decided it best to return to the featherweight division to try his luck in his UFC debut. It wouldn't be easy, as he was originally put up against Chan Sung Jung before an injury forced some re-shuffling.
Enter Mike Brown.
After three impressive rounds from the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, exit Mike Brown. A win like that put his name on the tongue's of UFC fans everywhere. A win over the undefeated Mendes would shoot him straight up the 145-pound ladder.
UFC 133 will take place on August 6, 2011, from the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the main event of the evening, Rashad Evans will once again attempt to earn himself a title shot by quelling the uprising of hot wrestling prospect Phil Davis.
Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama and Rich Franklin vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira are also rumored match-ups for the card.
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