Tag: Andre Muniz

UFC 269 lineup adds Dricus Du Plessis vs. Andre Muniz

A middleweight bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Andre Muniz is the latest addition to December’s UFC 269 lineup.

A middleweight bout between [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] and [autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] is the latest addition to December’s UFC 269 lineup.

MMA Junkie verified agreements are in place for the matchup between Du Plessis (16-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and Muniz (21-4 MMA, 3-0 UFC) with a person close to the situation following an initial report from UFC broadcast partner ESPN. The person requested anonymity because the promotion hasn’t made an official announcement.

UFC 269 takes place Dec. 11 but does not have a location or venue announced. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims expected on ESPN and ESPN+.

Du Plessis, 27, is shining for his native South Africa thus far in his octagon debut. He’s finished both of his UFC wins by stoppage, with knockouts of Trevin Giles and Markus Perez on his resume that includes 16 finishes in 16 wins.

Muniz, 31, meanwhile, will look to make it four consecutive wins to begin his octagon tenure. The Brazilian is coming off his most notable performance to date, as he submitted former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza in gruesome fashion at UFC 262 in May. Muniz has 14 first-round wins on his record.

The latest UFC 269 card now includes:

  • Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena – for women’s bantamweight title
  • Randy Costa vs. Tony Kelley
  • Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara-France
  • Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gillian Robertson
  • Maycee Barber vs. Montana De La Rosa
  • Dricus Du Plessis vs. Andre Muniz

[vertical-gallery id=631943]

[vertical-gallery id=610913]

UFC 262 post-event facts: Charles Oliveira sets multiple records in title win

The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 262, which saw Charles Oliveira make history with his title-winning TKO of Michael Chandler.

The UFC’s seventh pay-per-view of the year delivered in a big way on Saturday with UFC 262 at Toyota Center in Houston.

Charles Oliveira (31-8 MMA, 19-8 UFC) became the new lightweight champion in the main event when he scored a thrilling second-round TKO win over Michael Chandler (22-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC), setting all types of UFC records in the process.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 55 post-event facts to come out of UFC 262.

UFC 262 results: Andre Muniz audibly snaps Ronaldo Souza’s arm in gruesome submission

One of the nastiest submissions in recent memory went down at UFC 262 on Saturday.

[autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] added a highlight to his reel at UFC 262 – and it was a gruesome one against a legend.

In the UFC 262 featured prelim, Muniz (21-4 MMA, 3-0 UFC) submitted [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-10 MMA, 9-7 UFC) via a modified armbar at 3:59 of Round 1. The stoppage came after Souza’s arm audibly snapped.

The event took place at Toyota Center in Houston. It aired on ESPN following early prelims on ESPN+ and ahead of the main card on pay-per-view.

The fight was contested on the feet until Muniz shot for a double-leg. Souza briefly Muniz off, but the younger Brazilian kept his grip on “Jacare.” Muniz worked his way to the back. As “Jacare” elevated in an attempt to shake his opponent off, Muniz grabbed hold of an arm. As he slid off Souza, Muniz secured a nasty torque on the arm. From there, he squeezed and the snap occurred.

As Souza stood up, he appeared to be in good spirits, but his arm was dangling. With the cage-side doctor holding it in place, Souza was escorted into the dressing room before the official decision was read.

With the win, Muniz has won seven in a row – a streak stretching back to 2017. Prior to his victory against Souza, Muniz defeated Bartosz Fabinski via submission and Antonio Arroyo via unanimous decision to start his UFC tenure.

Meanwhile, tough times continue for “Jacare.” Souza, 41, has lost four straight fights and five of his most recent six. The Brazilian MMA legend’s most recent win was at UFC 230 in November 2018 when he knocked out Chris Weidman.

[listicle id=610867]

Up-to-the-minute UFC 262 results include:

[vertical-gallery id=610744]

[vertical-gallery id=610739]

Triple Take: What’s the best non-title fight at UFC 262?

We asked this week’s MMA Junkie “Triple Take” panel to weigh in on the best UFC 262 fight outside Oliveira vs. Chandler in the headliner.

UFC 262 on Saturday features a vacant title fight at the top of the card.

Charles Oliveira (30-8 MMA, 18-8 UFC) is a slight favorite at Toyota Center in Houston against former Bellator champion Michael Chandler (22-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) for the title vacated by Khabib Nurmagomedov earlier this year. Naturally, there is plenty of intrigue in that matchup given the circumstances around it.

But outside that title tilt, what fights below it have the most intrigue? That’s what we asked this week’s MMA Junkie “Triple Take” panel of Farah Hannoun, Nolan King and Mike Bohn to weigh in on – listed here alphabetically by last name, not by any overall preference toward their choices, naturally.

Check out their picks below.

‘Jacare’ Souza set to return vs. Andre Muniz at UFC 262

Ronaldo Souza enters UFC 262 on a three-fight losing skid.

“Jacare” will look to put an end to his recent losing skid this May.

[autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] will take on [autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] in a middleweight fight at UFC 262. The event takes place May 15 at Toyota Center in Houston. The main card streams on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

Both fighters confirmed the booking on social media Wednesday following an initial report from Combate.

Souza (26-9 MMA, 9-6 UFC) has lost three straight fights entering UFC 262, with the most recent coming by knockout against Kevin Holland in December. The fight was Souza’s only bout in 2020, though he was booked to fight Uriah Hall earlier in the year and withdrew following a positive COVID-19 test.

As for Muniz (20-4 MMA, 2-0 UFC), he earned his UFC deal on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019 when he quickly submitted now-Bellator middleweight Taylor Johnson. After he won a unanimous decision over Antonio Arroyo in his UFC debut, Muniz submitted Bartosz Fabinski in the first round of their September fight.

With the addition, the UFC 262 card includes:

  • Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira
  • Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Ferguson
  • Jamie Pickett vs. Jordan Wright
  • Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gina Mazany
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Katlyn Chookagian
  • Alex Perez vs. Matt Schnell
  • Andrea Lee vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Edson Barboza vs. Shane Burgos
  • Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
  • Andre Muniz vs. Ronaldo Souza

[listicle id=597667]

After two Contender Series shots, Andre Muniz had to make it count at UFC on ESPN+ 22

Take a look inside Andre Muniz’s win over Antonio Arroyo at UFC on ESPN+ 22 in Sao Paulo.

[autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] beat Antonio Arroyo with a unanimous decision Saturday on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 22 in Sao Paulo.

Take a look inside the fight with Muniz, who won for the fifth straight time.

Result: Andre Muniz def. Antonio Arroyo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Muniz (19-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Arroyo (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stat: Muniz won the striking battle 85-47 and landed three takedowns.

[lawrence-related id=463082,463127,463785]

Muniz on the fight’s key moment

“I came close to a submission or a knockout, but ended up spending a lot of energy. In the end, it was all heart.”

Muniz on getting his shot in the UFC

“I knew it would be a very difficult fight, but the UFC called me and I would never say no. I tried to do my best. It was enough to win, but I know it wasn’t my best.”

Muniz on what he wants next

“I participated in the Contender Series Brazil last year. I won my fight but did not get the contract. When this opportunity came up again, I didn’t think twice and tried to grab it as fast as possible.”

[vertical-gallery id=463541]

[vertical-gallery id=463472]

UFC on ESPN+ 22 medical suspensions: Jan Blachowicz, two others facing six-month suspensions

Jan Blachowicz and two others are looking at hefty medical suspensions after UFC Sao Paulo.

Three fighters, including headliner [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag], are looking at hefty medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN+ 22.

Blachowicz, who appeared to injure his left foot in his five-round victory over Ronaldo Souza, will need to get clearance on both feet in order to return to in-cage competition. Blachowicz is tentatively suspended 180 days, with a minimum of 30 days and no contact for 21 days.

[autotag]Sergio Moraes[/autotag] and [autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag], the lone fighters to suffer knockout losses on the card, are facing similar suspensions. Moraes, who suffered a third-round knockout loss to James Krause, will be suspended 180 days or until he’s cleared by a neurologist.

Gordon, who was brutally finished early in the first round by Charles Oliveira, was suspended 180 days or until he’s cleared by a otolaryngologist (ENT).

[lawrence-related id=463774,463767]

Check out the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 22 medical suspensions, per a CABMMA record acquired by MMA Fighting.

  • Jan Blachowicz: Suspended 180 days or until x-rays of both feet are cleared by physician; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • Jared Gordon: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by otolaryngologist; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Antonio Arroyo[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]James Krause[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Sergio Moraes: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by neurologist; also suspended 60 days with with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Eduardo Garagorri[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Douglas de Andrade[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Renan Barao[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Isabella de Padua[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Vanessa Melo[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.

[vertical-gallery id=463676]

[vertical-gallery id=463597]:

UFC on ESPN+ 22 post-event facts: Charles Oliveira enhances status as all-time great finisher

All the notable stats and figures to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 22, which took place in Sao Paulo, and saw Jan Blachowicz beat Ronaldo Souza.

The UFC made its final stop in Brazil this year on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 22, which went down at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo with a 12-fight card that streamed entirely on ESPN+.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) continued to build momentum as a light heavyweight contender in the main event when he entered enemy territory and defeated Brazil’s own [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) by split decision.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 40 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 22.

* * * *

General

[vertical-gallery id=463472]

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $192,000.

Debuting fighters went 2-2 at the event.

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag], [autotag]James Krause[/autotag], [autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag] and [autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 22 fight-night bonuses.

UFC on ESPN+ 22 drew an announced attendance of 10,344. No live gate was reveled for the card.

Betting favorites went 10-1 on the card. One fight ended in a draw.

Betting favorites improved to 20-17 (one fight had even odds, one ended in a no contest) in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 2:36:04.

Main card

[vertical-gallery id=463676]

Blachowicz improved to 6-1 in his past seven UFC appearances dating back to October 2017. The only defeat in that stretch came to Thiago Santos.

Blachowicz has earned four of his eight UFC victories by decision.

Souza suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since November 2018.

Souza was unsuccessful in his light heavyweight debut.

Souza has suffered four of his five UFC losses by decision.

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] (26-11-1 MMA, 10-9-1 UFC) vs. [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] (12-4-1 MMA, 4-5-1 UFC) ended in the third split draw UFC result of 2019.

[vertical-gallery id=463563]

Oliveira (28-8 MMA, 16-8 UFC) improved to 7-1 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division April 2017. He’s 9-3 (with one no contest) in the organization at 155 pounds.

Oliveira’s six-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Tony Ferguson (12) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (11).

Oliveira’s six-fight UFC stoppage streak is the longest active streak in the company.

Oliveira’s 15 stoppage victories in UFC competition are second most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (16).

Oliveira has been awarded 15 fight-night bonuses for UFC bouts, the tied with Nate Diaz and Joe Lauzon for second most in company history behind Cerrone (18).

Oliveira has been awarded nine “Performance of the Night” bonuses, the most in company history.

[autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) fell to 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to February 2014.

Gordon has suffered all four of his career losses by knockout.

[vertical-gallery id=463541]

[autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] (19-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) improved to 13-1 in his past 14 fights dating back to February 2014.

[autotag]Antonio Arroyo[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of his career.

[autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights.

Perez has suffered all three of his career losses by decision.

Preliminary card

[vertical-gallery id=463461]

Krause (27-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC) extended his UFC winning streak to six. He hasn’t suffered an octagon defeat since February 2016.

Krause improved to 4-0 in the UFC when competing at welterweight.

[autotag]Sergio Moraes[/autotag]’ (14-6-1 MMA, 8-5-1 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2018.

Moraes has suffered all three of his career stoppage losses by knockout.

Krause landed a knockdown for the first time in his UFC career.

Ramos (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) was successful in his featherweight debut.

[autotag]Eduardo Garagorri[/autotag] (13-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) had his 13-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.

[vertical-gallery id=463411]

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag]’s (24-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC) 12 UFC victories in Brazil are the most in company history.

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] (24-10-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) fell to 1-5 (with one no contest) in his past seven fights dating back to November 2014.

Green has suffered four of his five UFC losses by decision.

[autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) suffered the first submission loss of his career.

[vertical-gallery id=463372]

[autotag]Douglas Silva de Andrade[/autotag] (26-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) was successful in his return to the UFC featherweight division.

De Andrade has earned three of his four UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Renan Barao[/autotag]’s (34-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) five-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2016.

Barao fell to 2-8 in his past 10 fights after going on a 33-fight unbeaten streak that lasted more than nine years.

[autotag]Isabella de Padua[/autotag] (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of her career.

[autotag]Vanessa Melo[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC) has suffered six of her seven career losses by decision. That includes both of her UFC defeats.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

UFC on ESPN+ 22 rookie report: Grading the newcomers in Sao Paulo

Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the octagon the first time – so how did the newcomers perform on Saturday?

Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For four athletes, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 22 event marked that special moment in their career.

Check out this week’s rookie report to see what kind of first impression those fighters made on the sport’s biggest stage from Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo.

* * * * *

Tracy Cortez

Tracy Cortez and Vanessa Melo

Division: Women’s bantamweight
Result: Tracy Cortez def. Vanessa Melo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Record: (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Grade: B+

When it comes to heartbreaking backstories and a fighting spirit forged through struggle, [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag] can’t be ignored. As she proved on her entry into the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series, she’s willing to scrap under any circumstances, traveling to Brazil to compete on foreign soil in her UFC debut and even moving up 10 pounds so she could get on the card.

On the feet, Cortez shows real promise with her striking, flashing impressive power and accuracy with her boxing against Vanessa Melo. The downside in that range was that she was available to be countered in those exchanges, in the old “take one to give one” approach doesn’t generally lead to long UFC tenures, so she’ll want to dial the in a bit. Still, her willingness to engage was certainly entertaining.

Cortez also shows a willingness to turn to the grappling when needed, spending nearly the entirety of a round of this fight in a controlling position in the clinch. While that doesn’t entertain as much as the striking, I see promise in a fighter willing to be disciplined to a gameplan when it’s effective.

Overall, I think a move back down to 125 pounds may be the right move for Cortez, and there are some defensive tactics that need to be tweaked, but it seems some promising days are ahead for this newcomer.

[vertical-gallery id=463327]

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3