UFC 176
UFC 176: Aldo vs. Mendes 2 was a planned pay-per-view mixed martial arts event by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), scheduled for August 2, 2014, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.[1] The event was ultimately canceled on July 8, 2014, after featherweight champion Jose Aldo withdrew due to a neck injury sustained during training, which sidelined him for approximately 45 days.[1][2] This marked only the second time in the UFC's modern pay-per-view era that a numbered event was fully scrapped.[3] The main event was set to feature Aldo defending his UFC featherweight title against top contender Chad Mendes in a highly anticipated rematch, following Mendes' knockout loss to Aldo at UFC 142 in 2012. The co-main event pitted middleweight contenders Gegard Mousasi against Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in a rematch of their 2008 DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix encounter, which Mousasi had won by first-round knockout via upkick. These bouts were expected to headline a card blending title implications with ranked rivalries, drawing significant attention in the featherweight and middleweight divisions.[3] The undercard included several competitive matchups across multiple weight classes, such as lightweight bout between Bobby Green and Abel Trujillo, flyweight clash of Jussier Formiga and Zach Makovsky, and welterweight rematch of Danny Castillo versus Tony Ferguson. Following the cancellation, ticket holders received full refunds, and the majority of the planned fights were redistributed to other UFC events later that summer, including UFC Fight Night 47, UFC Fight Night 49, UFC 177, and UFC Fight Night 50.[1][4] The Aldo-Mendes rematch was rescheduled for UFC 179 on October 25, 2014, in Rio de Janeiro, where Aldo retained his title via unanimous decision.[4] The postponement highlighted the vulnerabilities of UFC scheduling amid fighter injuries but allowed for the bouts to find new homes without major disruptions to the promotion's calendar.[1]Background
Event Announcement
UFC officials announced UFC 176 on May 4, 2014, revealing the pay-per-view event scheduled for August 2 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, headlined by a UFC featherweight title rematch between champion Jose Aldo and challenger Chad Mendes.[5] This rematch stemmed from their first encounter at UFC 142 in January 2012, where Aldo retained his title via first-round knockout with one second remaining.[6] The Staples Center served as a premier venue for UFC events in Los Angeles, having previously hosted major cards like UFC 157 in 2013, where it drew significant crowds and solidified the arena's role in the promotion's West Coast strategy.[6] Promoters positioned UFC 176 as a key summer installment following UFC 175 on July 5, emphasizing the stacked featherweight division and Aldo's pound-for-pound dominance alongside Mendes' recent knockout streak to build anticipation for the PPV lineup.[5] Tickets for the event went on sale to the public on June 13, 2014, at 10 a.m. PT, with prices starting at $105 and premium packages available through the Staples Center box office and secondary markets, projecting attendance in line with the venue's typical 15,000-plus for UFC shows based on prior events there.[7]Main Event Buildup
The main event of UFC 176 was a featherweight championship rematch between defending champion José Aldo and top contender Chad Mendes, reigniting their rivalry that began at UFC 142 on January 14, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In their initial clash, Aldo retained his title via knockout in the first round at 4:59, landing a devastating knee to Mendes' head followed by punches that forced a stoppage, marking the first loss of Mendes' professional career up to that point.[8][9] This emphatic victory solidified Aldo's status as an elite striker in the division, while Mendes, known for his wrestling pedigree, absorbed the defeat and embarked on a path to redemption. Following the loss, Mendes compiled an undefeated streak of four consecutive victories within the UFC, showcasing improved finishing ability and positioning himself as the No. 1 contender. Key wins included a first-round submission via guillotine choke against Cody McKenzie at UFC on Fuel TV 5 on November 17, 2012; a first-round TKO (punches) over Yaotzin Meza at UFC on FX 6 on December 8, 2012; a first-round TKO (punches) versus Darren Elkins at UFC 164 on August 31, 2013; and a unanimous decision over Nik Lentz at UFC 166 on October 19, 2013.[10] These rapid finishes in his first three bouts, all under two minutes each, highlighted Mendes' evolution into a more aggressive and versatile fighter under the guidance of Team Alpha Male, building momentum for another title shot.[11] Meanwhile, Aldo maintained his iron grip on the featherweight crown through six successful title defenses between 2011 and early 2014, underscoring his unparalleled dominance with a record of 24-1 entering the rematch. Notable defenses included unanimous decisions over Mark Hominick (UFC 129, April 30, 2011), Kenny Florian (UFC 136, October 8, 2011), Frankie Edgar (UFC 156, February 2, 2013), and Ricardo Lamas (UFC 169, February 1, 2014), plus stoppage wins against Chad Mendes (UFC 142) and Chan Sung Jung via third-round TKO due to a doctor's stoppage (UFC 163, August 3, 2013).[12] Aldo's blend of precise Muay Thai striking, elite takedown defense (averaging over 90% success rate in title fights), and endurance made him a seemingly unbeatable champion, with no opponent able to dethrone him during this reign.[13] The buildup to UFC 176, announced on May 4, 2014, for August 2 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, featured escalating promotional tension despite the short timeline. Mendes ramped up training camp at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, emphasizing wrestling improvements and strength conditioning, with teammates like Urijah Faber noting his sharpened focus and physical transformation.[5] Betting odds reflected Aldo's favoritism, listing him at approximately -200 against Mendes' +170, underscoring perceptions of the Brazilian's edge in experience and striking.[14]Event Planning
Date and Venue
UFC 176 was scheduled for Saturday, August 2, 2014, as part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's summer pay-per-view lineup following UFC 175.[1] The event was set to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, a prominent multi-purpose arena known for hosting major sporting and entertainment spectacles.[15] The Staples Center, which has a seating capacity exceeding 18,000 for mixed martial arts configurations, had previously hosted several high-profile UFC events, including UFC 60: Hughes vs. Gracie in 2006, which drew over 14,000 spectators.[16][17] Other notable UFC cards at the venue, such as UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera in 2012, demonstrated its suitability for MMA productions with attendances around 16,000.[18] Los Angeles boasts a robust MMA fanbase, supported by the presence of numerous training facilities and a history of producing top-tier fighters, making it an ideal location for UFC events that align with the city's vibrant combat sports culture.[19] Projections for UFC 176 anticipated a gate revenue of approximately $2.5 to $3 million, based on similar past events at the Staples Center like UFC 60, which generated $2.9 million in ticket sales with 14,765 attendees.[17] This was expected to contribute to the local economy through tourism, hospitality spending, and job creation, mirroring the multimillion-dollar impacts of prior UFC shows in the region that bolstered Los Angeles' sports-driven economic activity.[20]Broadcast and Promotion
UFC 176 was scheduled to air its main card on pay-per-view through the Ultimate Fighting Championship's distribution partnerships with providers such as iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, and UFC.TV, beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.[21] The event's preliminary card was set to broadcast on Fox Sports 1 starting at 8 p.m. ET, following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. ET, aligning with the UFC's multi-platform media deal with Fox Sports established in 2011.[22] The pay-per-view pricing structure was established at $44.99 USD for standard definition and $54.99 USD for high definition in the United States, with Canadian equivalents of $49.99 CAD (SD) and $59.99 CAD (HD); international viewers had access to bundled options via regional providers like BellTV and Shaw Communications.[21] Promotional campaigns for the event featured television advertisements on Fox Sports networks, targeted social media pushes across UFC's official platforms to build anticipation for the featherweight title rematch, and fighter appearances, including a joint promotional event in Los Angeles by main event participants Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes to engage local fans ahead of ticket sales.[23] These efforts emphasized the high-stakes rivalry while leveraging the Staples Center's location to draw West Coast audiences.[21]Planned Fight Card
Main Card
The main card for UFC 176 was set to feature four high-profile bouts on pay-per-view, headlined by a featherweight championship rematch and including ranked contenders across multiple divisions. In the main event, UFC featherweight champion José Aldo was scheduled to defend his title against No. 1 contender Chad Mendes in a rematch from their January 2012 encounter at UFC 142, where Aldo secured a second-round knockout victory.[24] The fight was to adhere to standard UFC featherweight rules, with a non-title limit of 145 pounds and a title limit of 145 pounds exactly, requiring fighters to weigh in the day prior. Aldo, entering with an eight-fight winning streak in the division, was expected to rely on his precise Muay Thai striking, particularly low leg kicks to compromise Mendes' explosive wrestling base and maintain distance. Mendes, on a five-fight win streak including stoppages over Cody McKenzie, Hatsu Hioki, and Ricardo Lamas, planned to pressure Aldo aggressively, using his elite wrestling to close the distance, chain takedowns, and seek ground-and-pound opportunities while improving his sprawl defense from their first meeting.[25] The co-main event pitted No. 4-ranked middleweight Ronaldo "Jacaré" Souza against No. 9-ranked Gegard Mousasi in a rematch of their 2008 DREAM middleweight grand prix final, which Mousasi won via upkick knockout.[24] Both former Strikeforce champions—Souza at middleweight and Mousasi at light heavyweight—the bout was anticipated under standard UFC middleweight regulations at 185 pounds. Souza, riding a six-fight winning streak with five submissions including a recent unanimous decision over Francis Carmont at UFC Fight Night 36, aimed to leverage his world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu for takedowns and ground control. Mousasi, fresh off a first-round arm-triangle submission of Mark Muñoz at UFC Fight Night 41 but coming from a decision loss to Lyoto Machida, brought his extensive kickboxing pedigree from multiple world titles in K-1 and Shooto to counter with precise striking and clinch work.[24] A lightweight clash featured former three-time UFC title challenger Gray Maynard against Fabricio Camões, both seeking to rebound from recent setbacks.[26] Maynard, who had challenged Frankie Edgar for the lightweight strap three times between 2010 and 2012 with notable wins over Clay Guida and Nate Diaz, entered on a two-fight skid following knockout losses to TJ Grant and Donald Cerrone. Camões, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt renowned for his grappling expertise with multiple ADCC medals and 10 submission victories in his career, was coming off back-to-back losses to Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller but held a 1-3-1 UFC record highlighted by his submission skills. The matchup was expected to test Maynard's wrestling against Camões' elite ground game under standard lightweight rules at 155 pounds.[27] Rounding out the main card was a women's bantamweight bout between undefeated prospect Bethe Correia and MMA pioneer Shayna Baszler.[28] Correia, 8-0 overall with a perfect 2-0 UFC record including a split decision over Julie Kedzie and a unanimous decision over Jessica Eye, was on an eight-fight winning streak fueled by her aggressive Brazilian striking and trash-talk targeting Ronda Rousey's camp. Baszler, entering her UFC debut at 15-8 with a background as one of the original pioneers of women's MMA through her time in Strikeforce and as a member of Rousey's famed "Four Horsewomen" training group, specialized in catch wrestling with notable submission wins over Cris Cyborg and Sarah Kaufman. The fight, set at 135 pounds under standard UFC women's rules, highlighted a stylistic contrast between Correia's stand-up pressure and Baszler's grappling dominance.Preliminary Cards
The preliminary card for UFC 176 was scheduled to feature seven bouts across the flyweight, lightweight, middleweight, and welterweight divisions, with four fights airing on Fox Sports 1 and three on UFC Fight Pass, offering a platform for mid-tier contenders and debutants to build momentum. This lineup emphasized stylistic contrasts and developmental opportunities, contributing to the event's overall depth by showcasing the UFC's talent pipeline beyond the headliners.[1] In the flyweight opener on UFC Fight Pass, Jussier Formiga was set to face Zach Makovsky in a matchup pitting elite grappling against wrestling prowess. Formiga, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt known for his submission expertise, had secured multiple victories via rear-naked chokes and armbars in the UFC, aiming to rebound from a recent loss with his ground control.[29] Makovsky, a former Penn State wrestling standout and Bellator bantamweight champion, relied on his takedown ability and transitional control to dominate opponents, entering the bout undefeated in the UFC flyweight division.[30] The early prelims continued with a welterweight clash on UFC Fight Pass between Alex Garcia and Matt Dwyer, highlighting raw power against seasoned experience. Garcia, a Dominican powerhouse with knockout potential from his Muay Thai-influenced striking, had impressed in his UFC tenure with aggressive forward pressure and heavy hands.[31] Dwyer, making his Octagon debut after a strong regional run, brought veteran savvy from his Canadian circuit background, focusing on durable defense and counter-striking to weather early storms.[32] Shifting to Fox Sports 1, the lightweight bout between James Vick and Valmir Lázaro promised a striker's duel, with Vick's knockout threat testing Lázaro's prospect credentials. Vick, an undefeated British prospect with a boxing-heavy style and sharp knockout power, sought to build on his early UFC success through precise combinations.[33] Lázaro, a Brazilian newcomer from the regional scene, entered as an unproven talent with balanced skills but limited exposure, relying on his athleticism and resilience to make an impact.[34] A middleweight showdown on Fox Sports 1 featured Lorenz Larkin against Derek Brunson, both bringing high knockout potential from their Strikeforce pedigrees. Larkin, a kickboxing specialist with explosive striking and recent UFC showings, aimed to leverage his reach and power for a much-needed win.[35] Brunson, a wrestling-based powerhouse with devastating ground-and-pound, entered on a hot streak, using his athleticism and finishing instincts to pressure opponents.[36] The lightweight prelims on Fox Sports 1 included Bobby Green versus Abel Trujillo, contrasting taekwondo flair with relentless pressure. Green, a taekwondo black belt celebrated for his unorthodox kicks and dynamic movement, had risen through flashy knockouts and decisions in the division.[37] Trujillo, a pressure fighter with forward aggression and heavy hands, sought to impose his wrestling and brawling style after back-to-back knockouts.[38] Another lightweight bout on Fox Sports 1 pitted Tony Ferguson against Danny Castillo, blending unorthodox grappling with solid boxing fundamentals. Ferguson, known for his chaotic, submission-oriented grappling and endurance, aimed to extend his winning streak with creative transitions.[39] Castillo, a boxing technician with crisp punches and takedown defense, entered to halt a skid using his stand-up precision.[40] Closing the Fox Sports 1 prelims, Beneil Dariush faced Anthony Rocco Martin in a lightweight test of judo mastery against knockout menace. Dariush, an Iranian-American with a black belt in judo, excelled in throws and submissions, building his record through ground dominance.[41] Martin, a striker with one-punch power and aggressive entries, posed a threat with his regional knockout pedigree in his sophomore UFC appearance.[42]Cancellation
Injury Details
The injury to UFC featherweight champion José Aldo occurred during a training session in Brazil in late June 2014, when he was taken down and his hand slipped while attempting to post, causing his head and shoulder to hit the mat hard.[43] This non-severe neck issue was later diagnosed via emergency MRI as a herniated disc in his cervical spine, along with a shoulder labrum injury, exacerbating a previous surgical site in the same area.[44][45] Aldo's withdrawal from the UFC 176 main event was officially announced on July 2, 2014, by the UFC and his camp at Nova União, confirming the injury had sidelined him just weeks before the scheduled August 2 event.[46] The UFC medical team assessed the condition as requiring approximately 45 days of recovery, involving physical therapy and anti-inflammatory treatment, with no surgery necessary.[2][47] For Aldo, the injury represented a brief career interruption, as he resumed training shortly after the 45-day period and returned to competition at UFC 179 in October 2014.[48] This incident echoed historical precedents of fighter injuries derailing UFC events, such as the cancellation of UFC 151 due to a knee injury to Rashad Evans.[15]Official Decision and Reactions
The UFC officially announced the postponement of the entire UFC 176 event on July 8, 2014, through a press release on its website, following initial discussions of Jose Aldo's injury during the UFC 175 post-fight press conference two days earlier.[1][49] In the official statement, the organization cited its inability to secure a suitable replacement for the main event featherweight title bout between champion Jose Aldo and challenger Chad Mendes on such short notice as the primary reason for the full postponement, with all fights to be rescheduled for future cards and the headline rematch targeted for later in the year.[1] Full refunds were issued to ticket buyers at the point of purchase and to consumers who had pre-ordered the pay-per-view broadcast.[1] Chad Mendes voiced his disappointment over the cancellation in a post-announcement interview, expressing frustration by stating that Aldo "can't run from me forever" and emphasizing his readiness for the fight despite the setback.[50] The decision triggered widespread fan backlash across social media and online forums, with many highlighting the rarity of the move as only the second full event cancellation in UFC history after UFC 151 in 2012.[15][51] UFC President Dana White addressed the situation briefly at the UFC 175 post-fight press conference, stating he did not want to speculate on cancellation risks at that moment, though the final call underscored the challenges in salvaging the event's stacked undercard without a viable main event replacement.[52]Aftermath
Bout Rescheduling
Following the cancellation of UFC 176 on July 8, 2014, due to a neck injury suffered by featherweight champion Jose Aldo, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) promptly redistributed the majority of the event's 11 scheduled bouts across several subsequent cards to minimize disruption for the fighters involved.[15] Most matchups remained intact, allowing contenders to compete soon after, though a few were altered due to opponent availability or logistical issues such as visa complications. The flagship featherweight title rematch between Aldo and Chad Mendes was relocated to UFC 179, held on October 25, 2014, at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Aldo retained his championship via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) after five rounds of intense striking exchanges.[53] The co-main event pitting middleweights Ronaldo Souza against Gegard Mousasi shifted to UFC Fight Night 50 on September 5, 2014, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut; Souza avenged a prior loss by submitting Mousasi with a guillotine choke at 4:30 of the third round.[54] Several other prominent bouts found new homes on immediate follow-up events. Lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson and Danny Castillo were rescheduled for UFC 177 on August 30, 2014, at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California, with Ferguson securing a controversial split decision victory (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).[55] In the women's bantamweight division, Bethe Correia defeated Shayna Baszler via TKO (punches) at 1:56 of the second round on the same UFC 177 card, extending Correia's undefeated streak to 9-0.[56] The remaining fights were spread across UFC Fight Night 47 (August 16, 2014, Cross Insurance Center, Bangor, Maine) and UFC Fight Night 49 (August 23, 2014, BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma), as detailed below. Not all original pairings proceeded unchanged; for instance, Fabricio Camoes was removed from his bout against Gray Maynard due to scheduling conflicts, leading Maynard to face Ross Pearson instead at UFC Fight Night 47, where Pearson won by KO (punch) at 1:35 of the second round.[57] Similarly, Matt Dwyer withdrew from his welterweight matchup with Alex Garcia, replaced by Neil Magny, who won by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night 49.[58] The middleweight clash between Derek Brunson and Lorenz Larkin was not rescheduled together; Brunson lost to Yoel Romero by TKO (punches) at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014, while Larkin defeated Tim Boetsch by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) on the same card.| Bout | New Event | Date & Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jussier Formiga vs. Zach Makovsky (Flyweight) | UFC Fight Night 47 | August 16, 2014 Bangor, Maine | Formiga def. Makovsky via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)[59] |
| Bobby Green vs. Abel Trujillo (Lightweight) | UFC Fight Night 47 | August 16, 2014 Bangor, Maine | Green def. Trujillo via TKO (punches) at 2:32 of Round 3[60] |
| Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Martin (Lightweight) | UFC Fight Night 49 | August 23, 2014 Tulsa, Oklahoma | Dariush def. Martin via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:38 of Round 2[61] |
| James Vick vs. Valmir Lázaro (Lightweight) | UFC Fight Night 49 | August 23, 2014 Tulsa, Oklahoma | Vick def. Lázaro via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)[62] |