The UFC returns with its first fight card of 2011 this Saturday night as UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo (20-1) faces the undefeated Chad Mendes (11-0) in the main event of UFC 142. The fight will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Aldo will be making his third defense of his UFC Featherweight Title, Aldo is undefeated while fighting under the Zuffa banner (UFC, WEC). Aldo went 2-0 in 2011 with unanimous decision victories over Mark Hominick and Kenny Florian.

Mendes, a former NCAA All-American wrestler, is undefeated in 11 fights. He has notable wins over Erik Koch and Rani Yahya in his career. Mendes' last four fights have gone to decision, and seven of his eleven victories have come via decision.

Mendes trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, alongside Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez, and will be fighting for his first major MMA title.

Full UFC 142 Fight Card:

Main Card (PPV):

UFC Featherweight Title: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes

Middleweight: Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson

Middleweight: Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenizo

Welterweight: Erick Silva vs. Carlo Prater

Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim

Preliminary Card (FX):

Lightweight: Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout

Heavyweight: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Edinaldo Oliveira

Featherweight: Yuri Alcantara vs. Michihiro Omigawa

Welterweight: Ricardo Funch vs. Mike Pyle

Preliminary Card (Facebook):

Featherweight: Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio Carvalho

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