Jose Aldo's next fight has built further tension between the champion and challenger Chad "Money" Mendes as the UFC 179 pre-fight media day ended in a shoving match once again.
Prior to Jose Aldo's next fight, which is a rematch of his previous encounter with "Money" in January 2012, there has been a huge build-up of tension between both men.
In a report by MMA Fighting, the beef between both men began after the champion felt disrespected by Chad Mendes' camp Team Alpha Male for what they did to Aldo's teammate Renan Barao during his own match at UFC 173 against TJ Dillashaw.
After Dillashaw won the title, Team Alpha Male's Urijah Faber posted an Instagram photo showing Barao's name on the list for a Muay Thai seminar with their striking coach Duane Ludwig. This angered Aldo, who vowed for revenge through Chad Mendes.
"We never disrespected them," Aldo said. "But it's cool. Let's be patient, we will meet again. I have a fight coming up with Chad (Mendes), and Barao, God willing, will fight Dillashaw again and we will get the payback."
Not to be outdone, Chad Mendes fired back at the 145-pound champion through Twitter.
"Hey @josealdojunior I don't know anything about that post but I do know on Aug 2nd I AM going to BEAT YOUR ASS. #paybacksabitch @danawhite," Mendes wrote.
Jose Aldo's next fight was originally scheduled for UFC 176 on August 2nd. Unfortunately for both men and fight fans in anticipation, the reigning UFC featherweight champion was forced to pull out of the fight due to an injury. The match was then rescheduled for October 25th at UFC 179 in the champion's home country of Brazil.
But the verbal tirade did not end there. Amid Aldo's leave of absence due to injury, Chad Mendes went on to accuse the champion of using performance enhancing drugs.
"I definitely do [think Aldo's using PEDs]," Mendes said. "This is something that's been ongoing, but for him to all of a sudden just drop out -- I mean he drops out of a lot of fights -- but I think it's pretty coincidental."
Things got out of hand during the recent UFC 179 media day held in Brazil, when both men engaged in a shoving match during their face-off. But unlike the incident between light heavyweights Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, it did not end in an all-out brawl.
Below is the video of the incident that transpired.
