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Tag: Pedro Munhoz

  • 22-Fight UFC Veteran Pushes For Release After Rough Stretch, Plans Next Move Outside Octagon – ‘It’s Time To Take A New Direction’

    22-Fight UFC Veteran Pushes For Release After Rough Stretch, Plans Next Move Outside Octagon – ‘It’s Time To Take A New Direction’

    Pedro Munhoz is preparing to close the longest chapter of his career, as the veteran bantamweight has officially requested his release from the UFC after more than a decade with the promotion.

    “The Young Punisher”, who joined the roster in 2014, confirmed the decision through a social media statement, signaling his intention to explore opportunities outside the Octagon while continuing to compete.

    “Since 2014, I’ve been part of the UFC, building my name, proving myself, and showing what I’m capable of inside that Octagon,” Munhoz wrote on Instagram. “After 32 fights, I can proudly say I’ve never been submitted or knocked out. I’ve always stepped in there with heart, discipline, and respect for the game.”

    Pedro Munhoz Eyes New Opportunities After Long UFC Run

    Munhoz believes the timing is right to take control of the next phase of his career rather than remain in a familiar environment.

    “There comes a point in life when you don’t just stay comfortable, you take control of what’s next,” he wrote. “Right now, I feel it’s time to take a new direction, explore different opportunities, and focus on other important areas of my life. I’ve asked the UFC to release me, and I’m currently in the process of becoming a free agent.”

    Despite the move, Munhoz made it clear that retirement is not part of the plan.

    “I’m not retiring yet. Still hungry. Still focused. Still ready to put on great fights and make statements.”

    Throughout his UFC tenure, “The Young Punisher” built a reputation as one of the division’s toughest and most durable fighters. Across more than 20 appearances, he shared the cage with some of the biggest names in bantamweight history, including Jose Aldo, Dominick Cruz, Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, Frankie Edgar, and Cody Garbrandt.

    The 39-year-old Brazilian veteran also secured notable victories over Garbrandt, Rob Font, and Jimmie Rivera, while earning multiple post-fight bonuses along the way.

    However, recent results have been less favorable. Munhoz enters free agency on a three-fight losing streak and posted a 2-7-1 record across his last ten outings. He was last seen in action in November 2024, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Edmonton.

    Even so, his durability, experience, and name recognition are expected to draw interest from other promotions. Organizations such as PFL and BKFC could emerge as potential landing spots.

  • UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging its latest numbered event from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi last weekend, the MMA leader has remained on the road for a return to the “Great White North,” where Edmonton’s Rogers Place hosts a UFC Fight Night.

    Topping the lineup on Nov. 2 is a clash of ranked flyweights as former champion Brandon Moreno looks to break his two-fight losing skid by stalling the charge and title ambitions of Amir Albazi.

    Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, which will see former strawweight queen Rose Namajunas look to keep her ball rolling at flyweight. To secure a third straight win at 125 pounds this year, “Thug Rose” must get the better of #3-ranked contender Erin Blanchfield.

    Elsewhere, the likes of heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis, home favorite Mike Malott, and bantamweight veteran Pedro Munhoz will all be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi takes place on Saturday, November 2, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The main card begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Flyweight Main Event: Brandon Moreno (125.5lbs) vs. Amir Albazi (125.5lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Erin Blanchfield (125.5lbs) vs. Rose Namajunas (125lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Derrick Lewis (266lbs) vs. Jhonata Diniz (257lbs)
    • Light Heavyweight: Caio Machado (205lbs) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (205lbs)
    • Middleweight: Marc-André Barriault (185lbs) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (185.5lbs)
    • Welterweight: Mike Malott (170.5lbs) vs. Trevin Giles (170lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight: Aiemann Zahabi (135.5lbs) vs. Pedro Munhoz (135lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Ariane Lipski (125lbs) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (125lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Charles Jourdain (135lbs) vs. Victor Henry (135lbs)
    • Featherweight: Jack Shore (145.5lbs) vs. Youssef Zalal (145lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Alexandr Romanov (261lbs) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (264lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Serhiy Sidey (135lbs) vs. Garrett Armfield (135lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Chad Anheliger (135lbs) vs. Cody Gibson (135.5lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Jamey-Lyn Horth (126lbs) vs. Ivana Petrovic (125lbs)
  • Merab Dvalishvili Told To Borrow From Pedro Munhoz’s Approach Against ‘Suga’: ‘Let O’Malley Make The Mistakes…’

    Merab Dvalishvili Told To Borrow From Pedro Munhoz’s Approach Against ‘Suga’: ‘Let O’Malley Make The Mistakes…’

    A lot of fans are going to be tuning into the main event of UFC 306 expecting Merab Dvalishvili to come out and fight with a very high work rate.

    The bantamweight contender is one of the best fighters in the sport when it comes to weaponizing his conditioning, especially over five rounds.

    His grappling and relentless output is sure to be a difficult problem for the sniper-like striking of Sean O’Malley but Dvalishvili’s teammate has a different option in mind.

    The former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling pointed to one of O’Malley’s past fights as a good example of how the opposite strategy can be effective against “Suga”.

    Aljamain Sterling Points Out How Pedro Munhoz Had Success Against Sean O’Malley By Letting Him Go First

    O’Malley’s best skillset is far and above his counter-striking, as we saw in his title defense against Marlon Vera and his bantamweight title win over Sterling.

    On that night at UFC 292, “Funkmaster” made a mistake in trying to press the action and was caught during his takedown entry.

    In a recent interview with Jake Noecker for Home of Fight, Sterling spoke out about how being reserved so that you aren’t giving the counter-striker many opportunities to land shots or make reads, could be an option for his long-time friend and training partner.

    He pointed to O’Malley’s fight against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276 as a good example of this.

    Though the fight was declared a no-contest in the second round after Munhoz couldn’t continue from an eye poke, he won the opening stanza on two of the three scorecards by fighting with a much more calculated and controlled approach.

    “I think it’s gonna come down to a patience game. I think if Merab implements the same game plan that I used in the first round, just make it a slow fight, let O’Malley be the one to make mistakes. He’s used to people chasing him and he’s a very good counter fighter so don’t give him what he needs which is what the game plan was in our fight.

    “So just speaking to Merab, letting him know those are his keys to victory. You watch his fight with Pedro Munhoz, it’s a very slow paced fight, not much happens if you don’t give him what he wants and I think anyone who’s an analyst in the sport knows what he’s good at, knows what he needs to have to have success. You take those tools away from him then he doesn’t really, I don’t want to say he doesn’t really have much but we haven’t seen that side of him. Having to be the aggressor when his opponent is not hurt.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley’s Coach On Henry Cejudo: ‘Thinks He’s God’s Gift…’ 

  • UFC Rankings Report: Virna Jandiroba Replaces Maycee Barber On P4P List, Pedro Munhoz Out At Bantamweight

    UFC Rankings Report: Virna Jandiroba Replaces Maycee Barber On P4P List, Pedro Munhoz Out At Bantamweight

    As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.

    And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

    Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

    Women’s Pound-for-Pound: Jandiroba’s submission of Lemos in Saturday’s main event has advanced both her divisional and P4P ambitions. The Brazilian has debuted in the latter list at #13, one spot behind the climbing Kayla Harrison. The defeated Lemos, meanwhile, has dropped three positions to #15, while flyweight contender Maycee Barber has fallen out entirely.

    Women’s Strawweight: At 115 pounds, Jandiroba finds herself two spots better off at #3 courtesy of her efforts at the Apex. Lemos has made way for that rise and now occupies her recent opponent’s formerly occupied #5 place.

    Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

    Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

    Flyweight: Bruno Silva mounted a memorable comeback this past weekend to knock out fellow American Top Team standout Cody Durden. He’s been rewarded with an entry into the 125-pound rankings at #15, with his defeated teammate now out of the top 15.

    Bantamweight: While he’s had to wait an extra week, Montel Jackson’s 18-second knockout of Da’Mon Blackshear in Denver has netted him the #15 position in the division. His arrival has led to the removal of longtime veteran contender Pedro Munhoz.

    Featherweight: No changes.

    Lightweight: No changes.

    Welterweight: No changes.

    Middleweight: No changes.

    Light Heavyweight: No changes.

    Heavyweight: No changes.

    You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

  • 7 Takeaways From UFC 269: Oliveira vs. Poirier

    UFC 269 featured two title fights that crowned a new queen of the women’s bantamweight division and a current champion proved himself as worthy of holding the title he won earlier this year.

    There was a lot to take away from UFC 269, here are some things that stood out.

    O’Malley vs. Garbrandt?

    During the pre-fight press conference, Sean O’Malley and Cody Garbrandt went after each other, even though they both had their own fights with other people at UFC 269 to worry about. Still, O’Malley seemed to think it would be a good idea for them to square up at the press conference for a future event. Is this something you want to see?

    Lost One 

    Alex Perez
    Image Credit: Jeff Sherwood of Sherdog.com

    It happens enough these days, bookmakers should start laying odds on what fight will get pulled from a card, and for what reason. After the weigh-ins, the UFC announced that the flyweight bout between Matt Schnell and Alex Perez was canceled due to medical issues with Schnell.

    The Savage Gets Back in The Win Column

    Gillian Robertson was on a two-fight losing streak going into UFC 269. If that wasn’t enough fuel to pick up a win, her opponent Priscila Cachoeira missed weight and they fought at a catchweight. Robertson scored the first submission and finish of the night to get back in the win column and did it with Cachoeira fighting dirty. Losers never win, and Robertson proved that here. Check out Robertson’s submission finish and doing it while Cahcoeira was poking her in the eye.

    Kai-Kara France

    UFC 269 results: Kai Kara-France spoils Cody Garbrandt's flyweight debut with massive TKO win - CBSSports.com
    Kai Kara-France. Image Credit: Jeff Bottari

    France stopped Garbrandt in his tracks for Garbrandt’s flyweight debut, leaving questions for Garbrandt’s future but opening doors for France. With his first-round finish of the former bantamweight champion, France made it known he has his eyes on Brandon Moreno and Deivison Figueredo. Either fight would make a great future match-up for him. 

    Dominick Cruz

    UFC 269 tweets: Pros react to Dominick Cruz comeback win, Daniel Cormier commentary controversy - MMA Fighting
    Dominick Cruz, Image Credit: MMA Fighting

    Cruz made news for his criticism of Daniel Cormier’s broadcast style on fight week and that may have taken away from the fact that regardless of how anyone handles a mic, Cruz can still manage the cage better. It’s obvious he does just as much homework for fights as he does for his broadcast duties. Cruz fought and won against a very tough Pedro Munhoz to pick up a decisive victory. If there’s a fight to make, maybe he and Jose Aldo could headline a card in 2022.

    And New!

    UFC 269 results, highlights: Julianna Pena scores shocking upset of Amanda Nunes to claim title - CBSSports.com
    Julianna Pena, Image Credit: Chris Unger

    A huge underdog, Julianna Peña came in with nothing but heart and a great jab that would hand Nunes the loss that would cost her the title, and crown The Venezuelan Vixen the new bantamweight champion. Peña was a +650 underdog and when the going got tough, Peña’s resolve would be the fuel that won her the title. 

    And Still!

    UFC 269 results: Charles Oliveira taps Dustin Poirier to retain title
    Charles Oliveira. Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports

    Diamonds are tough but “Do Bronx” is tougher as Charles Oliveira proved that he can stand with the tougher, more damaging fighter the likes of Dustin Poirier. Oliveira’s chin was definitely tested in this fight, especially in round one but if there were a physical demonstration of “being like water,” Oliveira definitely did it to Poirier when he scored the submission victory. 

    There’s obviously more to take away from this event than what is listed here especially with it being the last one of 2021. New challengers for various titles, up-and-coming fighters looking to get in the top 15, and potential rematches to make. The UFC certainly closed their pay-per-view schedule well.

    What did you take away from the event? Better yet, what would you like to see in 2022?

  • Cruz Mutes Cormier On Commentary: ‘He Doesn’t Do The Homework’

    Just because Dominick Cruz does commentary with Daniel Cormier does not mean he likes his broadcast partner’s style.

    In addition to his career inside the Octagon, Cruz has made a name for himself as a well-established commentator, albeit with a mixed review amongst fans. While some appreciate his extremely technical breakdowns, others feel that he can be a bit confrontational in the booth, oftentimes being seen having miniature arguments with the other commentators during events.

    One of the people that he seems to take regular issue with during broadcasts is fellow former champion Daniel Cormier. Speaking to media ahead of his return to action at UFC 269, in which Cormier will be commentating his fight with Pedro Munhoz, Cruz explained that while he loves DC as a person, he could do without his commentary.

    “I watch (Jon) Anik do so much homework leading up to a fight. Like, people have no idea how much homework he has to do to be prepared for that, and the most kudos, for me, goes to him. He leads us in the broadcast with how he talks. When it comes to DC, I usually mute it,” Cruz said with a chuckle.

    Dominick Cruz: Daniel Cormier doesn't do homework as UFC analyst
    Dominick Cruz, Daniel Cormier, Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports

    “I love DC, he’s my friend, but to me, from my experience, he doesn’t do the homework. He wants to get in and out, get the job done, make his money. I think he cares about us, but it’s just different. He doesn’t do the preparation from my experience. He might now. I’m hoping that he watches some film this time, on me, so he knows what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. But I’m not going to hold my breath on that, for sure.”

    That being said, Dominick Cruz knows that he is not perfect when it comes to his work as a commentator, even though he works hard to be. However, he says it all comes down to how each person looks at things, and he does not take things personally, whether other commentators and fighters agree with him or not.

    “Honestly, I’m never perfect. There’s a roster of, I don’t know, 400-600 fighters, and not everybody is going to agree with what I say either. It’s all perspective in there. And DC, he’s a gifted athlete. I think (Michael) Bisping does a lot of homework. I think he watches a lot of film. I think there are certain people that watch the film, and I count that because I do the film study. The reason I do the film study is it’s bigger than me,” Cruz said.

    “I really don’t call or text any of them, because they’re just doing their job. They’re seeing it how they see it, it’s their interpretation. It doesn’t make it fact, and I know they’re doing the best they can, honestly.”

    It certainly seems like Dominick Cruz is simply giving his honest assessment of how he thinks Daniel Cormier does as a commentator and is not coming from a place of a personal beef. That said, it will be interesting to see if Cormier gives his response to these comments while working commentary for UFC 269 .

    Watch the full presser with Dominick Cruz below:

  • Cruz Says He’ll Be Fighting A “Friend” For The First Time At UFC 269

    UFC bantamweight contender Dominick Cruz says he’ll be sharing the cage with a friend for the first time when he faces Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269.

    Cruz, a former two-time UFC champion who’s widely regarded as one of the best bantamweights in history, will be looking to secure his second victory of 2021 on December 11.

    After having his 13-fight winning streak snapped and his belt taken away by Cody Garbrandt in 2016, Cruz spent nearly four years on the sidelines dealing with multiple injuries. He returned last May but fell short of regaining the title after former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo finished him late in the second round.

    Having rebounded with a split decision triumph over Casey Kenney at UFC 259 in March, Cruz will be looking to take another step up the 135-pound ladder when he collides with #8-ranked Munhoz.

    Having lost three of his last four outings, including a decision setback against José Aldo in August, the Brazilian will be looking to maintain his place in the division by halting the charge of Cruz.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLxJLzlElk/

    Cruz Respects Munhoz Outside Of The Octagon

    From rivalries to bad blood, Cruz has pretty much faced every scenario across his illustrious 16-year career. However, “The Dominator” has revealed he’ll be experiencing something new at the final pay-per-view of the year.

    During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Cruz suggested his clash with Munhoz will represent the first time he’s ever entered the Octagon with someone he considers to be a friend.

    “Pedro’s an OG in the game; been here forever, almost as long as me, if not the same amount. I have mutual respect for him. The one thing that’s different about Pedro is I’ve never fought somebody who’s actually, like, I would consider a friend. Pedro is actually a friend of mine, so this is a first for me. I’ve had rematches, I’ve had people that I don’t like, I’ve had rivalries, I’ve had all of it.

    “The one thing I haven’t had is a friend, somebody that I respect as a human being outside of the sport, and not just what they’ve done in the sport. That’s different, but it’s not gonna stop us from trying to rip each other’s faces off because that’s what we are.”

    Discussing his relationship with his fellow bantamweight veteran, Cruz described the lengths Munhoz went to during a trip the former champ made to the 35-year-old’s home country of Brazil a number of years ago.

    “We’re not like, close, because he lives in Florida and I live here (San Diego), but I went to Brazil and I’ve done some things (there) and he made sure I was taken care of and was just, you know, we went on a run, we did some training when my shoulder was blown out a couple years ago… Not a lot of fighters would open up their door in their country to just be kind and create a space to train and he did that. He was very open about it, very honest, and we were honest so, we became friends at that time. It’s not like we hang out all the time or anything like that, I just respect the human being that he is outside of fighting.”

    Despite their friendly relationship, “The Dominator” and “The Young Punisher” will go to war this weekend on the preliminary card of what promises to be a blockbuster pay-per-view to close out the year.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 269, Dominick Cruz or Pedro Munhoz?