Could Chad Mendes be training for a potential UFC comeback?
It appears that Chad Mendes is prepping for something big. The former top UFC featherweight appears to be getting the itch for competition. While he may have retired from competition, the fire is still burning and Mendes looks more than capable for a comeback.
A former rival of Conor McGregor and current featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski, Chad Mendes has a ton of experience in high level competition. He had one of the greatest battles of all-time again former featherweight king Jose Aldo. Mendes possessed the kind of raw potential to become a champion. But after his battle with Volkanovski, he decided to call it quits.
Since then Chad Mendes has embraced his love of hunting and being a rugged outdoorsman. He has shown incredible proficiency with a compound bow and an impressive savvy when it comes to hunting.
That said, Chad Mendes still continues to train like a top athlete. When you truly love something it can be hard to let it go, especially when it’s been in your life for so long. Still performing like an absolute beast, it appears that Mendes is starting to get that itch for competition once again.
In a recent training video, Chad Mendes channeled boxing greats Canelo Alvarez and Mike Tyson. In doing so, Mendes has looked tremendous. Not only has his physique improved, but his boxing skills as well thanks to his new boxing coach Joey Rodriguez.
Another hard boxing session with @joey_rodriguez916 crushed!!
The timing, power, footwork and speed have been coming together the last few weeks! Been loving the @miketyson and @canelo style of boxing baby!
The itch is getting stronger and stronger! Might have to start talking some numbers soon…..??♂️????
That post in itself shows that Chad Mendes is thinking about a comeback. In all honesty, if he still has the juice, he should definitely give competing another go. His training shows that he is more than capable of performing at a high level.
Besides the strength and conditioning, the lifelong wrestler has also been showing much improved striking. He was already a great striker before, but now Chad Mendes looks even more clean than ever.
What do you think of Chad Mendes, his training and a potential comeback?
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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.