Pedro Munhoz’s first four fights in the UFC after a perfect 10-0 start to his career brought him back to reality a bit.
The Brazilian won his first 10, including four straight in the RFA and won that promotion’s bantamweight title. After defending it, he got a shot in the UFC.
But that shot came on short notice against Raphael Assuncao, and he dropped a decision. He won his next two fights, but a victory over Jerrod Sanders was overturned when Munhoz tested positive for testosterone from an outside origin. After a suspension, he lost a split decision to Jimmie Rivera in November 2015.
But 2016 was Munhoz’s year, for sure. He won both his fights by guillotine choke, and won $50,000 performance bonuses in each of them. Russell Doane and Justin Scoggins found out what it’s like to have Munhoz cranking on their necks.
On Sunday, Munhoz (13-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) goes after his third straight win when he takes on Damian Stasiak (10-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 109, which takes place at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm. The card airs on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.
Munhoz is the biggest favorite on the card at 7-1 odds. And maybe that’s because the oddsmakers have figured out just how dangerous he can be.
“I was able to to show that I’m a dangerous fighter,” Munhoz told MMAjunkie. “Soon, I’ll be within reach of a title match. I’m training hard at American Top Team. I’m focused, as always. My time will come.”
Munhoz’s move to American Top Team came after a lengthy run at Kings MMA. The cross-country change from California to Florida, though, is one Munhoz believes was the right one to make.
“It was a friendly breakup,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for (Kings MMA coach) Rafael Cordeiro. We’ve been friends for many years. I moved so I could be even more focused on training with several high-level fighters. It’s going to help with my evolution. Now I’m 100 percent focused.”
And that may wind up being bad news for Stasiak and future bantamweight opponents, especially given how good Munhoz looked in his two fights in 2016, both of which came in the second half of the calendar year.
Despite the high odds in his favor, he said he’s been keeping tabs on Stasiak so he knows what to expect – and maybe that means the rest of us can expect another stoppage if he gets his way.
“I’ve been studying him; I’ve watched a lot of fights,” Munhoz said. “He’s also coming off two submission victories, but he is a world-champion karate fighter so he’s pretty complete. I’m ready, both on the feet and on the ground. Wherever the fight goes, I’m giving my best to get a finish.”
“My goal is to get closer to a title shot. I’m ready to face anyone the UFC puts in front of me. If all goes well (against Damian), maybe I’ll want a top-five opponent next. I’ll do everything in my power to get this victory.”
For more on UFC Fight Night 109, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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