Chad Mendes (top): Jeff Sherwood | Sherdog.com
Chad Mendes vs. Javier Vazquez
A stablemate and protégé of former featherweight king Urijah Faber, Mendes has steadily worked his way up the WEC’s featherweight ranks, fashioning workmanlike wins while showing the kind of improvement one likes to see in a developing fighter. Vasquez remains one of the WEC’s top submission aces, with durability and composure that will serve him well, as he figures to get taken down. Mendes, an NCAA finalist in his senior year, is an exceptionally gifted wrestler with a good-sized frame for the weight class.
In a match where wrestler meets submission artist, both will have a strong incentive to bring the best stand-up game and effectively strike. Mendes figures to have a bigger upside given he turned professional barely two years ago and is constantly improving. He will need to be careful when he decides to take it to the ground, as Vasquez is masterful at grabbing submissions out of nowhere, though the Team Alpha Male camp should have him well-prepared.
Expect some high-level grappling to dominate this bout, with the two featherweights somewhat neutralizing each other, as Mendes works strikes on the ground and gets the better of the clinch work to grind out a decision win. Watch for whether or not Mendes has improved enough to dictate the pace by keeping busy with ground-and-pound and on the feet. If he is unable to do so, Vazquez can win. If Mendes steps it up compared to previous bouts, it will be enough for him to pull out a competitive decision.