Body Work Against Chad Mendes
With less than two weeks’ notice, McGregor found himself facing Chad Mendes instead of Jose Aldo at UFC 189. This required a significant shift in strategy with little time to prepare. A strong wrestler, Mendes found early success in the fight by taking McGregor down. But when on the feet, ‘The Notorious’ stayed patient and chipped away at ‘Money’ with kicks to the body.
It was a smart move as it targeted Mendes’ gas-tank, which was already compromised from having come in on short-notice. It also helped to maintain distance. Body kicks are often seen as a vulnerable weapon against a wrestler due to being easily caught. But McGregor purposefully implemented a faster, harder to track variant that wasn’t as vulnerable.
“The Thai-style is push – they push with the kick, they push with the teep. It’s easy to catch that,” McGregor explained on UFC Tonight. “But kick correct – kick like a whip – then you can kick any man. You can’t catch whip.”
McGregor would start to reap the benefits of his strategy late in the second round. Mendes visibly began to tire, allowing him to move in for the kill and deliver a TKO stoppage.
