Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz has done enough work at 135 pounds to secure himself a spot in the Top 5 of the division rankings, though it’s safe to say “The Young Punisher” doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels.
The good news for Munhoz is that a victory over a “living legend” like Frankie Edgar in the UFC on ESPN 15 main event, which takes place this Sat. night (Aug. 22, 2020) at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, is likely to put him on a very short list of title contenders.
“Saturday is a good test to see where I am,” Munhoz told MMA Fighting. “I want to make a big statement, and I want to be next for the title shot. This is one of the biggest fights of my career, but I do believe every fight is the biggest fight of my career. My fights previously prepared me for this.”
The submission-savvy Munhoz (18-4, 1 NC) should prove to be a stiff test for Edgar in “The Answer’s” bantamweight debut. “The Young Punisher” has won three of his last four, including his technical knockout win over Cody Garbrandt at UFC 235 roughly one year back.
Petr Yan currently rules the 135-pound roost with longtime contender Aljamain Sterling nipping at his heels, so it’s unlikely we’ll have any definitive answers on the future of Munhoz (or Edgar) after the dust settles this weekend in “Sin City.”