MMA Preview – Pedro Munhoz vs Dominick Cruz at UFC 269
PEDRO MUNHOZ VS DOMINICK CRUZ FACTS
When is UFC 269? Sunday 12th December, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 269? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 269? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 268
What channel is UFC 269 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 269? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
PEDRO MUNHOZ VS DOMINICK CRUZ LOWDOWN
Pedro Munhoz (19-6(1)) has lost three of his last four which is more of a sign of how stacked the bantamweight division is right now. After knocking out the former champion Cody Garbrandt, he lost a unanimous decision to Aljamain Sterling (2019) and then a a razor thin split decision to Frankie Edgar (2020). He bounced back with a unanimous decision of his own over Jimmie Rivera but then ran into the path of the resurgent Jose Aldo receiving a clinic and losing another unanimous decision. He has now been handed another legend and good friend.
The fact that Dominick Cruz (23-3) has only won one fight since 2016 but is still ranked in the top 10, says all you need to know about the former champion. IT is astonishing that he is still competing at his level considering the amount of severe injuries he has suffered. Garbrandt (2016) was the man to eventually beat the champion pulling out the best performance of his career to win the belt. Cruz then suffered a familiar four-year layoff before returning to another title fight, this time with Henry Cejudo (2020) who finished him in the second round. It has appeared that the injuries have finally crept up on Cruz, but he managed to pull off a very classt split decision win over Casey Kenney back in March.
PEDRO MUNHOZ VS DOMINICK CRUZ PREDICTION
Cruz was suffering with plantar fasciitis in the Cruz fight, you can argue it was an early stoppage in the Cejudo fight and that win over Kenney proved he still has a lot to offer but he is inevitably not the fighter he was.
Munhoz used to be known for his jiu-jitsu and in particular his guillotine, but he has become a ferocious striker with knockout power and thunderous leg kicks.
It was leg kicks that set up Cejudo’s finish, clearly targeting the damaged knees of Cruz. One clean kick can completely disable him even though he will no doubt have a clear strategy to avoid absorbing them.
Unlike Munhoz, Cruz wins his fights in the same fashion by utilizing his infamous footwork and head movement to frustrate his opponents, making them miss and offloading a constant output with his volume winning the fight.
He still has the skill to do exactly that to Munhoz, but the Brazilian’s leg kicks could be the game changer. Cejudo clearly hurt Cruz with his leg kicks and Munhoz’s kicks are a lot more powerful.
The smart pick is a Cruz decision or a Munhoz knockout set up by leg kicks. It can go either way, but we are backing Cruz to execute a calculated strategy to avoid the weapons of Munhoz and use his speed, movement and experience to seal the rounds.
Prediction: Cruz via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Munhoz via KO/TKO
