Pedro Munhoz would like to welcome back former champion T.J. Dillashaw after his win at UFC Vegas 20.
UFC bantamweight Pedro Munhoz already knows who he wants to face next after his win in a ‘Fight of The Night’ performance against Jimmie Rivera at UFC Vegas 20: none other than former champion T.J. Dillashaw.
Suspended for failing a USADA test following his TKO loss Henry Cejudo in 2019, Dillashaw is elligible to fight again since January 2021, but still has no opponents lined up for his return. Before any other bantamweights seal the deal, Munhoz would like to throw his name in the ballot box.
During UFC Vegas 20’s post-fight press conference, Munhoz made it clear he has nothing against Dillashaw and will not judge the former champion for past mistakes. However, Pedro believes the pairing is one that makes sense and would like a chance to prove he is ready to face someone like T.J..
“I heard rumors that Dillashaw might be coming back,” Munhoz said. “That fight would make sense. I have nothing against him and I’m not the one to judge him. If the UFC thinks this fight is interesting, I’m ready to face him. When he was suspended, he was the champion, so I believe they’ll give him a big name or a big fight for his return. I offer myself to fight him.”
With a clear unanimous decision win against Rivera, Munhoz could not be happier with the result. Since Jimmie actually defeated Pedro via split decision back in 2015, the Brazilian is glad to see he evolved to the point where he can now soundly defeat ‘El Terror’. In fact, Munhoz attributes the win to being a more mature fighter and a more technical one thanks to his coaches at American Top Team.
“His punches didn’t hurt me, but I felt that they were really powerful,” Munhoz said. “I knew it would be like that, because he knocked me down in our first fight, and I did the same to him. I felt more composed today in comparison to our last fight, more experienced. I think I’ve improved a lot since that fight, because I’ve been training at American Top Team. Coaches Anderson Franca, Katel Kulbis, Conan Silveira and so many other sensational fighters we have over there. A trilogy could happen at some point, because I never pick opponents. Whoever they offer me, I accept.”
The win over Rivera came just at the right time for Pedro Munhoz (19-5-1 NC), who was on a two-fight losing skid to Frankie Edgar and Aljamain Sterling prior to UFC Vegas 20 and managed to avoid a three-fight skid. The 34-year-old’s latest win before this one was a knockout victory over former champion Cody Garbrandt, back in March 2019.