Author: Chandra Moulee Das
UFC bantamweight veteran Pedro Munhoz is looking to build on his resurgence this year and turn it into his first winning streak since 2019 next weekend. Currently ranked 10th in the 135-pound division, Munhoz has gone through a challenging phase following his victory over Jimmie Rivera at the start of 2021. It covered a period of three unsuccessful fights, marked by a no contest against Sean O’Malley last July, followed by consecutive defeats to José Aldo and Dominick Cruz.
Although this downward trajectory caused him to drop down the rankings, “The Young Punisher” successfully defended his high-profile status in April at UFC Kansas City. During this event, he stopped the advance of Chris Gutiérrez, emerging victorious by unanimous decision.
A few months after that victory, Munhoz took advantage of the injury to former two-division champion Henry Cejudo, stepping in for “Triple C” in his scheduled fight against Marlon Vera. As he approaches his next bout against the sixth-ranked fighter at UFC 292 this Saturday night, the Brazilian fighter exudes confidence in his ability to begin a robust ascent towards the top five.
Although “Chito” is predicting a resurgence in Boston this weekend, Munhoz believes that the Ecuadorian fighter will be outclassed in every respect.
In a recent interview conducted by Jim Varsallone at the American Top Team facilities, Munhoz said: “I feel I’m one of the best fighters on the planet. I’m here at American Top Team every day, still working. I always try to improve my game in all aspects: striking, grappling, wrestling. (Vera is) a very durable and good fighter too… (But) I see myself at every point in this fight better than him; attacking skills, fighting skills.“
Munhoz intends to validate these claims on fight night at the TD Garden in Massachusetts. He and Vera are scheduled to kick off the main card on pay-per-view, culminating in two title fights in the strawweight and bantamweight divisions.