Former UFC featherweight star Chad Mendes recently gave an interview to MMA Junkie’s John Morgan. The former UFC title contender spoke about his transition from MMA to bare-knuckle boxing, the difference between the two, and many more.

Mendes, who recently had announced that he will come out of retirement to compete in BKFC, last featured in a match against current featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski in 2018. His record in the last few matches of his career doesn’t justify the talent he possesses. He lost 3 of the last 4 matches and all by knockouts.

While speaking to Morgan, Mendes explained how difficult it was for him to convince his wife about his decision to compete in BKFC. Although she isn’t convinced yet, Mendes believes bare-knuckle is safer than MMA.

“It was definitely something that took a little persuading, for sure,” Mendes said. “She’s still not 100% in on it, but she’s very supportive of anything that I want to do. She’s like, ‘Are you kidding me? I thought we were done with all of this?'”

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“I think MMA is honestly a lot more dangerous. You got people throwing head kicks whizzing past your head or connecting (and it’s) lights out. You’ve got big knees, elbows, people running submissions and tearing tendons and ligaments,” he further added.

Chad Mendes is thankful to UFC for allowing him to compete in BKFC

Mendes went from entertaining a BKFC debut to signing one. It’s not always easy for a fighter to get a green signal from UFC to compete somewhere else. But according to Mendes, he always enjoyed a great relationship with the promotion and is thankful for fighting at BKFC.

He also expected to get a call up from the UFC about a return, but now, after getting their nod, he is ready for a debut fight against a TBA opponent on October 22.

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“They technically could have said, ‘You’re not going anywhere–if you’re not fighting here, you’re not fighting,'” Mendes told ‘What the heck’. “But I’ve always had a great relationship with the UFC, and I think this is an awesome thing for them to let me make some money.”

“My hats off to them for being cool in this situation. I didn’t (think they would), honestly. I thought it would be a ‘hell no'” he added (via MMA Fighting).

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It will be interesting to see him making his debut in a different promotion. A victory in the opening game might very well start a new chapter in his combat sports career.

What did you make of Mendes’ statements? Let us know.