Former long-time champion Jose Aldo will test the mettle of Pedro Munhoz in a battle between two proud Brazilian MMA fighters. Will the former champ have something to celebrate this weekend? Or will Munhoz win at the expense of a legend? Check out our preview of this fight on the main card of UFC 265: Lewis vs. Gane.
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Betting Preview for the Jose Aldo vs Pedro Munhoz Bantamweight Bout at UFC 265 on August 7, 2021
Where: Toyota Center (Houston), Houston, TX
When: Saturday, August 7, 2021
Odds: Jose Aldo (-125) vs. Pedro Munhoz (-105)
TV Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Betting on Jose Aldo (-125)
MMA Record: 29-7-0
Aldo is not done fighting, and he will look to prove there’s still plenty of gas left in his tank. After losing three fights in a row, including a TKO loss at the hands of Petr Yan in a title fight in June 2020, Aldo has finally found his way back on the victory trail by scoring a unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera in December 2020. The former two-division UFC champion will look to capitalize on a significant five-inch reach advantage over Munhoz this coming Saturday. Of his 29 wins, 17 were via knockouts, with his last KO victim being Renato Moicano back in February 2019. Aldo’s quick reaction will be his ally in defending himself against Munhoz’s striking skills, but he’ll have to pace himself in this fight to avoid getting gassed in the later portions of the fight. Munhoz will also need a bit of luck if he wants to take Aldo down to the mat. Aldo has a 91 percent takedown defense and has only been submitted once so far in his pro career.
Betting on Pedro Munhoz (-105)
MMA Record: 19-5-1
Like Aldo, Munhoz managed to recover from successive losses when he scored a unanimous decision win over Jimmie Rivera just last February. Prior to that, he lost to current bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (unanimous decision) and to Frankie Edgar (split decision). Munhoz likes to push forward and be the aggressor in fights. He outlander Rivera in terms of significant strikes, 94-65, and Frankie Edgar as well, 166-135. He is on a constant attack, which makes up for his lack of explosiveness in his movement. One thing about Munhoz is that all his five losses came via decisions. He hasn’t been knocked out or submitted before in his pro career. He has five T/KO victories and eight submission wins. Against a more athletic and quicker opponent in Aldo, Munhoz will have to cut the size of the Octagon down to get clean shots and takedown attempts. Munhoz is averaging 0.68 takedowns per 15 minutes and has an 80 percent takedown defense.
Writer’s Prediction
Jose Aldo wins via decision.
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