Chad Mendes clashes with Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th.
The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time.
Mendes spoke with Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News and excerpts from the chat are below.
Chad Mendes
When did the dialogue really start ramping up for your sophomore BKFC effort?
“Man, after the fight last year, it was in February, my head boxing coach his daughter ended up getting cancer. There was a ton of stuff that kept him out of the gym. So honestly there was a big period where we just didn’t have much time to train then. Honestly, I just wasn’t sure if I was going to fight again in all honesty (laughs) – just going to work with all the other businesses I got and just staying busy that way. I think towards the end of this last year, BKFC started reaching out.”
“It wasn’t until the beginning of this year that the name Eddie (Alvarez) got brought up. Up until then, there was not a ton of motivation for me to do it. But as soon as they mentioned Eddie, and they were going to be signing him, I told them I want to do it. Let’s do this. That’s a fight that gets me excited. That’s a fight that will motivate me to get back in there. Not to mention it’s going to be my biggest payday to date too. So that’s definitely motivating also.”
Chad Mendes continued, “Man, I’m excited. This is a fight that, obviously – I’ve watched Eddie for a really long time. I’ve always liked his style. So, to get in there and fight a guy like this, especially toward the end of my career, this is definitely me winding down. But, if this is my last fight, which is definitely something I’ve talked about, I’m not a hundred percent sure yet. We’ll just kind of see how this one goes. But if it is, this is a way to go out I think… I feel great. This is one of the better fight camps I’ve ever had.”
BKFC 41
Can you speak to the refreshing nature of this fight selling itself based on the skills of the fighters without the need for canned trash-talking lines or cartoonish braggadocio?
“A hundred percent, man. Same here. We both busted our asses our entire careers to get to where we’re at right now. It’s nice to be here and getting paid what we’re getting paid. Having an opponent in front of each other basically that we both respect what we’ve done. I know what Eddie’s done; he knows what I’ve done. Like you said, the fight is going to sell itself.”
Chad Mendes continued, “We don’t need to get up there and put on this WWE fake-ass bunch of s**t-talking (laughs). I know it’s going to be a war, he knows it’s going to be a war, the fans know it’s going to be a war. Just bring it. Let’s do this.”
BKFC
What do you think some of Eddie Alvarez’s transferrable skills will be as he comes over from MMA for this BKFC debut effort?
“Man, I don’t know. I think his biggest attribute is going to be being able to get hit and get back up. He’s obviously got the chin that you can tell he’s out on his feet, but he’s still moving around; then, doesn’t just like go out limp on the ground with a ten count there. I mean, he’s definitely going to be coming back. I think if anything, that’s probably going to be his strongest attribute. I mean he’s got good boxing, so he’s already got that. But yeah, I don’t know, man. I’m curious to see how he transitions. It’s a tiny ring.”
“We have no choice but to be in each other’s face the whole time. That definitely changes the pace and the game tremendously. You have no choice but to be there in the red zone the entire fight. I don’t know, I’m banking on my speed and power and footwork to be a little bit too much for him. I know he’s got some really long arms. But, I just don’t think the speed is going to be there and I don’t think, obviously, the power. But everything’s different, man.”
Chad Mendes continued, “There’s no gloves on the hands, so doesn’t always mean you have to be the most powerful human being on earth. So, anything can happen. That’s what’s so cool about this sport, man. Anything can happen at any time. But yeah, man, I’m curious to see how he makes this transition from a big octagon to this tiny little space and now bare-knuckle. We’re wingin’ ’em, man.”
Parting thoughts for Chad Mendes
“Nah, man. I think we’re good. Just tune in April 29th. This is like we said, this fight’s selling itself. This is going to be probably the biggest bare-knuckle fight in history in my opinion. We’ve got a guy that’s been in the sport for a long time. Two guys that have been in the sport for a long time. Two heavy hitters, guys from multiple weight classes, coming together into one, which is always exciting.”
“Guys that would have never met up in the UFC are now having that opportunity. Not only is it that time, but it’s with no gloves on straight bare-knuckle. So it’s going to be an exciting fight. Do not miss it.”
