Jesse Mendez won 6-5 in TB over Vance Vombaur (who was 8th this year) in the dual. Based on that match alone you say, Mendez isn't a title contender, or he's lost a step. 1.5 months later Mendez majored VV in the quarters and won the title. The dual meet was a one-off. The Zepeda match was a one-off on Stanich's summer resume. That was my whole point.