Chad Mendes charges dropped

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Battery charges against UFC featherweight contender Chad Mendes were dismissed Monday after the fighter pleaded to a lesser charge, Kings County (Calif.) District Attorney's Office chief deputy James Jahn told ESPN.com on Tuesday.

"Well, they added a count of fighting in public, which is California Penal Code section 415 (1)," Jahn said. "It's a misdemeanor. That's what happened in court.

"He pled to a lesser charge and the battery charges were dropped."

The Kings County District Attorney's Office formally charged Mendes on Aug. 24 after eyewitnesses told Sheriff's deputies that he punched a patron in the face at Lacy Inn Bar in Hanford, Calif., on July 29.

"I have said from the beginning that the ridiculous allegations published by the media were either false or incredibly sensationalized," Mendes said in a statement. "(Monday's) outcome proves it."

A spokesperson with the Superior Court of California (County of Kings) told ESPN.com on Tuesday that Mendes also received fines and was placed on probation.

"He got three years of court probation, along with fines," the spokesperson said. "It looks like he paid (the fine). It was $560."

Mendes, who is ranked fourth among 145-pound fighters by ESPN.com, will seek his second win in a row on Dec. 15 when he meets Hacran Dias in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

In his most recent outing, on July 7, Mendes (12-1) knocked out Cody McKenzie in the first round.

That win came after Mendes himself was knocked out in the first round on Jan. 14 by featherweight champion Jose Aldo.

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Franklin McNeil

Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts

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• MMA columnist for ESPN.com
• Analyst for "MMA Live"
• Covered MMA/Boxing for The Star-Ledger