Dominick Cruz vs Pedro Munhoz, a clash of top-15 bantamweights, is expected to take place at UFC 269.
MMAFighting was first to report Wednesday night, citing multiple sources, that a matchup pitting the ninth and eleventh ranked 135-pound fighters in the promotion was set for the UFC’s final pay-per-view of Dec. 11. The outlet mentioned that while official contracts have not been signed, both sides have verbally agreed to terms for the planned booking.
Dominick Cruz vs Pedro Munhoz added to UFC 269 in Dec.
Cruz (23-3) also publicly confirmed that he had agreed to a fight during a Twitter exchange with unranked but uber-popular bantamweight talent Sean O’Malley on Tuesday. In a tweet from earlier that day, “Sugar” suggested the idea of a fight between him and the two-time division champion.
However, Cruz responded by declining that fight invitation and informing O’Malley, and the mixed martial arts community, that he was already booked for a dance with a higher-ranked talent.
https://twitter.com/DominickCruz/status/1443031035277557760
“I have a date with someone that is ranked up ahead of me stud. Same thing you’re looking for. So I get it. May the force be with you in figuring that one out for yourself,” he wrote.
We now know that opponent to be Brazil’s Munhoz (19-6). “The Young Punisher” last fought in August at UFC 265. On that night in Houston, Tx. he came up short by unanimous decision against former featherweight champion, and fifth-ranked bantamweight Jose Aldo. The 35-year-old has lost three of his last four, however, those losses came against elite talent in Aldo, former champion and contender Frankie Edgar, and current division king Aljamain Sterling.
Cruz, 36, had a victorious return to the Octagon in March at UFC 259. His split decision win over Casey Kenney ended the long-time UFC announcers first losing streak at two. “The Dominator” has only fought two times over the last four years. This year will be the first time he has fought more than once in a calendar year since 2016.
UFC 269 is expected to be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Charles Oliveira and top contender Dustin Poirier.
