Luis Pena gets narrow split decision win over Alexander Munoz
Luis Pena opens up the UFC Vegas 24 main card with a hard fought split decision over Alexander Munoz.
UFC Vegas 24 goes down tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The main event will feature a key fight in the middleweight division as former champion Robert Whittaker finally fights Kelvin Gastelum. The two were first booked back in February of 2019 at UFC 234, bu Whittaker was forced to withdraw from after having emergency surgery just a few hours before the fight.
Prior to the main event, lightweights Luis Pena and Alexander Munoz will kick off the main card.
Pena (8-3) is looking to get back in the winning column after suffering a submission loss to Khama Worthy in June. Despite losing his last outing, he did pick up a win 2020 when her defeated Steve Garcia by unanimous decision.
Munoz (6-1) will be making just his second walk to the octagon and he’s hoping it’ll go better than his first outing. When Munoz made his promotion debut in August, he suffered his first professional defeat as he was on the losing end of a unanimous decision to Nasrat Haqparast.
Here’s how the Pena and Munoz fight went down with a round-by-round breakdown and scoring. For a full list of results, click here.
Round 1
Munoz comes out swinging with two heavy over hand rights. Both are unsuccessful.
Pena lands a just jab and stuffs a takedown attempt, but shortly after Munoz lands a takedown.
Pena is back to his, but Munoz still as ahold of Pena. First two minutes of this fight belong to Munoz.
A fee seconds later, Pena breaks free and the two return to the center of the octagon.
Pena lands a kick to the body and Munoz comes over the top with a one-two combination. Munoz then scores a leg kick.
Pena lands a big flying knee, but Munoz grabs ahold of Pena and the two briefly clinch, but its broken and Munoz circles around the cage.
Munoz lands another big punch as the first round comes to a close. Nice opening round for the Team Alpha wrestling coach.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Munoz
Round 2
Pena lands first, 12 seconds into the round with a long jab. He follows that up with another long shot that lands cleanly. Now he lands a kick. Great start to the round for Pena.
Pena now lands a knee and follows up with a nice punch.
Two minutes into the round its all Pena, but Munoz flips the script. He lands a heavy right hand that backs Pena up and then secures a takedown. Pena works his way back to the feet and we have two minutes left in the round.
Once back on the feet, Pena lands a jab. After that, both men have thrown shots, but nothing really landing.
With 38 seconds left in the round, Munoz lands another calf kick. He follows up a few seconds later with a big right hand.
Close round here. Both men had moments. The takedown maybe the difference in this close round that can go either way.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Munoz
Round 3
Munoz opens with a punch to the body. Then lands a one-two combination.
Pena lands a stiff jab to close out the first minute of the last round. Pena is starting to show boat and after dancing around he lands a big knee and has Munoz backing up.
Pena is busy. Munoz throws a big overhand punch, but Pena sees it and rolls away from the big punch.
Both men trade shots in the center, but Pena wins the exchange win a long jab.
The two are getting after it. Both throwing and landing. Munoz goes in for a takedown and Pena stuffs it and then lands some big shots after breaking the clinch.
Munoz lands a three punch combination and there is only 30 seconds left in the round. Munoz lands again before the final horn goes off.
Great round. Great fight. Judges have their fans full here. Likely whoever wins round two will win this fight.
MyMMANew scores it 10-9 Pena
MyMMANews scorecard: 29-28 Munoz
Official Result: Luis Pena defeats Alexander Munoz by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
