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Match Preview: UFC Fight Night on ESPN – Munhoz vs Edgar

The UFC returns to action this weekend once again from the APEX center in Las Vegas with a showdown in the Bantamweight division.

The number one MMA promotional company in the world is once again putting on a fight card for us to enjoy through this pandemic period we are in. So sit back, enjoy a beverage, have your snacks handy, kick your feet up, and enjoy some fights.

Headlining the card will be 5th ranked Pedro Munhoz (18-4 9 SUBs) welcoming former Lightweight champion and Featherweight contender Frankie Edgar (23-8 7 KOs).

Munhoz, who is looking to get back in the winner circle after falling short in his last outing, and will be looking to do so against one of the toughest fighters in his MMA career.

The 33-year-old fighter from Brazil will hope to use this win as a catapult up the ranks and align himself on the shortlist of challengers for the new champion Petr Yan. To do so, he will first have to get past one of the most fan-favorite fighters in UFC history, Frankie Edgar.

Edgar will be making his long-awaited debut at 135lbs, a weight class many felt he should’ve moved to sooner, but given his high placing in the 145lbs, it was hard for Edgar to walk away knowing he was potentially one or two fights away from a title shot. The grit, the energy, and heart of New Jersey, the former champion, has made a career of putting on exciting fights and will look to do so in his new home.

Dropping his last two and being 1-3 in his last four bouts, the 38-year-old is looking to show he still has what it takes to be amongst the best and possibly may have another title shot run in him. Making this move to his third weight class, Edgar will become only the twelfth to do so in the promotion. Notable fighters who have done the same are former champions Anthony Pettis and Conor McGregor.

These are two fighters who are looking to get a bounce-back win and throw their name in the hat for potential challengers for the title.

Both men are full of action. Edgar, a constant ball of energy, using movement, bouncing in and out utilizing leg kicks, boxing combos, and well-timed takedowns while Munhoz has 13 of his 18 wins coming via finish. Edgar has only been finished twice in his career, two of them coming in three of his recent losses.

So this showdown should be an entertaining one from start to finish.

In the night’s co-main event, a Light Heavyweight clash between Ovince Saint Preux (24-14 11 KOs) and Alonzo Menifield (9-1 8 KOS).

While both fighters are not ranked, don’t let that fool you. Both are finishers as they have a combined 28 finishes out of 33 wins. So whether it is putting you to sleep or making you tap, these two know how to end the fight in the blink of an eye.

Menifield suffered the first loss of his pro career back at UFC 250 in June. Looking to bounce back and continue his rise in the 205lbs division, he’ll look to have his hand raised against OSP, who is coming back to the division after a failed move up to heavyweight.

Looking himself to find some consistency, at 37 years old, Ovince Saint Preux needs to make a run now if he’s ever to find himself ranked among the best and earn another title shot. The 32-year-old from Dana White’s Contender Series, Menifield could be one to watch, and a win over a well-respected name could be a building block for him to use to continue his climb up the ladder.

UFC on ESPN will be a card full of fighters looking to move up and place themselves in a better position for bigger future fights. But it all starts with being victorious tonight, so be sure to tune in.

Check back here on FranchiseSportsMedia.com for the recap and more in the world of combat sports.

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-Kalani Lua – Franchise Sports Media

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