UFC 142 Results & Analysis

Brazilian dominance was showcased at UFC Rio, 9 out of 10 victories went to the home nation; truly demonstrating their talents to the Mixed Martial Arts world.
In the first fight of the Main Card, Edson Barboza knocked out British brawler Terry Etim with a vicious Spinning Wheel Kick at 2:02 in round 3; earning the Knock-Out of The Night and Fight of The Night bonuses.
In the Co-Main Event, fan favourite Vitor Belfort's Catchweight (197lb) bout against Anthony Johnson ended the fight via Rear Naked Choke at 4:49 in round 1; Johnson failed to make weight at Middleweight (185lb), resulting in UFC President Dana White releasing Johnson from the UFC after his third failure  to make weight. Dana said, “The guy was at 170 pounds. He moved up to 185 pounds so this wouldn't happen anymore, and this is the worst weight-cutting disaster he's ever had. He almost ruined the co-main event here in Brazil."
Finally the Main Event - Featherweight Championship bout - (c) Jose Aldo vs Chad Mendes. Aldo demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the Pound for Pound kings, walking out of the HSBC Arena Rio de Janeiro remaining the UFC Featherweight Champion and rocketing his fame among his native supporters. From the first round, Aldo out-classed the Team Alpha Male challenger; both fighters came out using multiple leg kicks but the clear difference in technique and power meant that Aldo had a significant advantage in the stand up and he used his kicks to set up combinations. Mendes resorted to his wrestling routes but was unsuccessful on numerous occasions, the excellent takedown defence exhibited by Aldo led to a separation against the cage and a quick vicious knee catching Mendes and knocking him to the canvas and the Champion followed it by a solid right hand, ending the fight 4:59 in round 1.
Main Card:

• Lightweight bout:  Edson Barboza vs.  Terry Etim

Barboza defeated Etim via KO (wheel kick) at 2:02 of round 3.

• Welterweight bout:  Erick Silva vs.  Carlo Prater

Prater defeated Silva via disqualification (illegal blows to back of head) at 0:29 of round 1.

• Middleweight bout:  Rousimar Palhares vs.  Mike Massenzio

Palhares defeated Massenzio via submission (heel hook) at 1:03 of round 1.

• Catchweight (197 lb) bout:  Vitor Belfort vs.  Anthony Johnson

Belfort defeated Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:49 of round 1.

• Featherweight Championship:  José Aldo (c) vs.  Chad Mendes

Aldo defeated Mendes via KO (knee and punches) at 4:59 of round 1, retains the UFC Featherweight Championship.

Preliminary Card:

• Featherweight bout:  Felipe Arantes vs.  Antonio Carvalho

Arantes defeated Carvalho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

• Welterweight bout:  Ricardo Funch vs.  Mike Pyle

Pyle defeated Funch via TKO (knee and punches) at 1:22 of round 1.

• Featherweight bout:  Yuri Alcantara vs.  Michihiro Omigawa

Alcantara defeated Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).

• Heavyweight bout:  Gabriel Gonzaga vs.  Ednaldo Oliveira

Gonzaga defeated Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:22 of round 1.

• Lightweight bout:  Thiago Tavares vs.  Sam Stout

Tavares defeated Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).