Jimmie Rivera and Pedro Munhoz faced off in a Bantamweight clash tonight (Sat., Feb. 27, 2021) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada at UFC Vegas 20. Following a great fight, Munhoz was named the winner
An early jab counter from Rivera threw Munhoz to the floor. The two immediately ripped heavy calf kicks and left hooks into one another. Right hand from Rivera interrupted a low kick, and Munhoz again briefly touched the floor. Big left hand connection from the Brazilian. Munhoz checked a kick, landed an overhand. Rivera left hook staggered his foe. These two were SWINGING! Munhoz stuffed a takedown. Both men landed hard moments later. Rivera ripped another left hook to the jaw. A literal trade of simultaneous calf kicks preceded another clean combination from Rivera. Munhoz wobbled his foe with a calf kick then floored him. The action finally slowed a bit in the final minute. Munhoz continued to work the calf to the bell.
Rivera cracked his foe with a right and scored a brief takedown. Munhoz used a heel hook attempt to stand. Munhoz dug another low kick but ate some hard counter shots. Rivera chopped the calf of his foe, but Munhoz returned it even heavier. Rivera was still fighting well, but that leg was compromised rather severely. Heavy left hook scored for Munhoz. The two traded stiff jabs, then Munhoz dropped his foe with another calf kick. Munhoz controlled the rest of the round, avoiding his foe’s big swings as he continued to peck and prod with his calf kicks and jabs.
Rivera came out swinging in the third — difficult to do with no left leg. Munhoz snapped off a front kick then went high with his right leg. Rivera wobbled with each step. Rivera scored with a couple straight shots and a clean uppercut. Stiff jab from the Brazilian. Rivera checked a kick and still stumbled to the mat. Rivera landed a pair of big swings, but the destroyed leg is preventing him from really building momentum. Rivera tried his damnedest, but the knockout did not materialize.
Much like the first bout, this was a tremendous contest! However, Munhoz’s calf kick really decided the bout, eliminating Rivera’s tight counter punching advantage and leaving him limping. Still, both men deserve a lot of credit for their toughness and grit in an absolute battle.
Result: Pedro Munhoz defeats Jimmie Rivera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
For complete UFC Vegas 20: “Gane vs. Rozenstruik” results and play-by-play, click HERE!