Chad Mendes hints at potential UFC return: ‘The itch is getting stronger and stronger’
Former UFC title challenger, Chad Mendes has hinted at a potential return to the Octagon.
Mendes, who’s now 36, announced his retirement from the sport following his TKO loss to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 232 in December of 2018. The news was somewhat surprising given Mendes was still one of the best featherweights alive but ever since his retirement he has stuck to it.
Chad Mendes had been enjoying retirement with his fishing trips but has still been in the gym leaving many to wonder if he’ll come back. On Tuesday night, he took to social media to post a video of him training, and in the caption he wrote the itch to return is getting stronger and he may have to start talking numbers soon on a possible return.
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“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,” Mendes wrote.
As of right now, it’s uncertain if Mendes will actually return. He still is in phenomenal shape and could be a top-15 featherweight and get a big name in his return.
Chad Mendes (18-5) as mentioned, retired when he suffered a TKO loss to Volkanovski at UFC 232. Prior to that, he beat Myles Jury by TKO to get back into the win column after losing by KO to Frankie Edgar and a TKO loss to Conor McGregor for the interim featherweight title. He fought for the undisputed UFC featherweight title twice and lost both to Jose Aldo at UFC 142 and UFC 179. In his career, he holds notable wins over Ricardo Lamas, Clay Guida, Cub Swanson, Darren Elkins, and Nik Lentz among others.
