Chad Mendes Still Not Over Connor McGregor Loss? Rematch Possible?

Looking back to UFC 189, Chad Mendes did make a good account of himself despite the fact he only had three weeks to prepare against Connor McGregor.

To recall, Mendes seemed to have everything in control until he made a risky move that resulted in him failing to apply a guillotine choke on the Irishman.

This failed move gave McGregor the opening he needed to unleash his expected offensive on an obviously fatigued Mendes.

One month has already passed but Mendes admits that he is not completely over the loss.

"It's something I still think about. Sometimes (I) lay in bed still thinking about it. It's definitely going to take some time to get over it, but you know, that's just part of the game” said via MMAfighting.com

Mendes was obviously not prepared for the match but jumped on the opportunity since it was something that would be hard to pass up. Now he wonders if the outcome would have been the same had he been able to properly prepare against McGregor.

"I'm not making excuses. I'm not sitting here saying that's the reason why I lost. But I feel that if I am completely prepared for that fight, I win that fight. Every single time."

After his performance, there is no doubt that many feel that Mendes deserves a rematch. On even grounds, the outcome could be different, maybe not. But the fact remains that Mendes proved that he could stand up to the brash Irishman despite short notice.

Looking at the bright side, it wasn’t a bad effort on Mendes’ part. He was amply rewarded financially and retains his no. 3 ranking in the UFC featherweight division.

So does he deserve a rematch? Mendes as well as many other believe that he deserves one.

However, Mendes may have to wait a while before he can get another crack at McGregor.

The Irishman will finally get his chance to face off against original opponent Jose Aldo this coming December at UFC 194.

It will be recalled that Aldo had pulled out before UFC 189 due to an injured rib, and such was the reason why Mendes was given the opportunity to face off against McGregor.

Thus, Mendes’ rematch aspirations could very well depend on what happens after UFC 194. A McGregor win will likely setup a rematch between Mendes and McGregor in 2016.

An Aldo victory however could make things complicated. It could end up having a rematch between Aldo and McGregor or Aldo facing Mendes instead.

Mendes’ future fight will thus depend largely on what happens on December 12, when Aldo and McGregor finally get it on at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.