When Augusto Mendes made his UFC debut back in 2016, he did so by jumping right into the deep end. The former elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor – with multiple ADCC & IBJJF world championships to his name – took on rising star Cody Garbrandt in his first bout in the Octagon, losing by KO in the first round.
Nearly a year later, after recovering from ACL surgery, he made his return, a win over Frankie Saenz. A loss to Aljamain Sterling followed, and Mendes was once again sidelined by another leg injury.