Like the rest of the MMA world, Chad Mendes was captivated by UFC 231 main event between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega, but not just because it was one of the best fights of 2018. For Mendes, he was watching potential opponents throw down in Toronto, and it only got him more amped up to deliver his own memorable performance against Alexander Volkanovski in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
“Watching that fight (Holloway-Ortega) is definitely something that’s motivating for everybody in the division and me especially,” he said. “I’m excited to get in there and I’ve got to get this win under my belt and hopefully be fighting somebody either right up there at the top or who knows, maybe it puts me back in line for a title shot.