Pedro Munhoz comes close to knocking out Dominick Cruz, but concedes and loses on points at UFC 269

D. Cruz (left) defeated P. Munhoz (right) in the UFC 269. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Last Brazilian to enter the octagon on the preliminary card of the UFC 269, held this Saturday (11), in Las Vegas (USA), Peter Munhoz He didn’t win again. With the tough task of overcoming the former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg), Dominick Cruz, the Tupiniquim came close to a knockout in the first round, but ended up giving way. The São Paulo native was the victim of the North American's great technique and was defeated by the judges' unanimous decision.

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With the defeat, Munhoz became complicated within the category. A standout in the group for years, the Brazilian reached the mark of four defeats in the last five fights.

A legend in the under-61,2kg category, Cruz once again put on a show in the Octagon as he did in the days when he led the division. The triumph of the American, who had to deal with injuries for much of his career, added to the fighter's good form. Now, the fighter has two consecutive victories.

Munhoz's stumble should cost the Brazilian eighth place in the group. Cruz, in turn, advances and could take over the position of the São Paulo native.

The fight

The duel began with Cruz launching the first attack with a high kick, an attack responded in kind by the Brazilian. Dominick tried to shorten it and threw jabs and straight shots. The former category champion landed a clean cross on the Brazilian's face, but Pedro didn't attack. The North American continued to get better at striking and Munhoz tried to find his footing in the fight. With just over two minutes remaining, the former champion slipped after receiving a counter jab, followed by a cross applied by the Brazilian. The American fell, but managed to recover. The Brazilian continued trying to take advantage of the good moment and chased his opponent around the Octagon. The former champion lost his way and launched attacks in the void. In the final seconds of the stage, the Brazilian ended up being surprised by a cross, but there was no more time.

At the beginning of the second round, the athletes started to engage in frank exchanges. In an attempt to settle the bill, Pedro threw combinations of punches and kicks, but the former champion responded well. The North American grew in the fight and attacked Munhoz with jabs and straight shots. Even though he was at a disadvantage in his striking, Pedro continued to move forward and tried to regain his good momentum. Near the final minute, Cruz surprised Munhoz with a new combination of jabs and straight shots. The Brazilian couldn't find the best distance and launched attacks in vain. Dominick's characteristic movement confused the Brazilian and made the Tupiniquim waste attacks. In the final seconds, the fighters studied each other in the center of the Octagon.

The last round started with Cruz going on top. Munhoz managed to dodge the former champion's attacks and also launched attacks. Dominick alternated the base and tried to induce the Brazilian to make a mistake. Pedro tried to reduce the disadvantage and threw kicks and punches, but the attacks were not powerful. With just under three minutes remaining, the former champion flew at the Brazilian's legs and risked a takedown, but Pedro defended himself well. The North American continued to show off his technique and continued scoring with combinations. In the final seconds, Dominick started to manage the result and continued without wasting attacks. Close to the end of the confrontation, the athletes rehearsed a frank exchange.

Emmett beats Ige on points and advances to featherweight

J. Emmett (right) defeated D. Ige (left) in the UFC 269. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Back in the Octagon after just over a year of inactivity, Josh Emmett It wasn't an easy task, but he managed to win. A highlight of the featherweight division (up to 65,7kg), the veteran faced the dangerous Dan Ige and experienced a true three-round battle. After 15 minutes of intense clash, the combatant was declared the winner in a unanimous decision by the judges.

With the result, Emmett expanded his great phase and will advance in the category led by Alexander Volkanovsky. The new triumph marked the fourth consecutive victory in the athlete's recent record.

Beaten at the show, Ige sold his defeat dearly. The stumble, however, prevented the combatant from resuming the path to triumph. Now, the fighter has three setbacks in his last five appearances.

UFC 269 fight list

MAIN CARD

Lightweight: Charles of the Bronx x Dustin poirier – Fight for the belt

Bantamweight: Julianna Pena finished Amanda nunes with a rear naked choke at 3m26s of R2 – Fight for the belt

Welterweight Weight: Geoff neal derrotou Santiago Ponzinibbio in the judges' split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

Fly weight: Kai Kara France derrotou cody garbrandt by technical knockout at 3m21s of R1

Bantamweight: Sean O'Malley defeated Raulian paiva by technical knockout at 4m42s of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD

Feather weight: Josh Emmett derrotou Dan Ige in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Bantamweight: Dominick Cruz derrotou Peter Munhoz in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28,29-28, 29-28)

Heavyweight: Tai tuivasa derrotou August Sakai by knockout 26s into R2

Average weight: Bruno Blindado derrotou Jordan wright by technical knockout at 1m28s of R1

Average weight: André Sergipano finished Erik Anders with an armbar at 3m13 of R1

Fly weight: Erin Blanchfield derrotou Miranda maverick in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Featherweight: Ryan Hall defeated Darrick Minner via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 30-27)

Bantamweight: Tony Kelley defeated Randy Costa by technical knockout at 4m15s of R2

Fly weight: Gillian robertson finished Priscila Pedrita with a rear naked choke at 4m59s of R1

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