Pedro Munhoz doesn’t believe Dominick Cruz is on a decline: ‘He’s going to be the best version of himself’
Pedro Munhoz still thinks Dominick Cruz is competing at a high level.
On the UFC 269 prelims, Cruz is set to return to the Octagon against Munhoz in a very intriguing matchup. In the lead-up to the fight, many have wondered what Cruz still has to give as he made his return to the sport in May of 2020 to a TKO loss to Henry Cejudo. He then didn’t fight again until March of this year where he beat Casey Kenney by split decision, yet for Munhoz he knows Cruz still is an elite fighter.
“I don’t think (he’s taken a step back). A lot of people said that when he had the knee surgery and then he came back to fight T.J. Dillashaw five rounds, I actually watched that fight live in Boston, and he’s no joke,” Munhoz said at media day. “The guy is always training and always getting better. We’re kind of the same age, so I don’t underestimate him. I never underestimate any of my opponents. That’s the mindset that I come in every fight. I know he’s going to be the best version of himself and so will I.”
Entering the fight, Pedro Munhoz is coming off a decision loss to Jose Aldo and he also recently fought Frankie Edgar. For the Brazilian, who now gets to face Dominick Cruz he says he is glad to fight legends like this.
“That’s something that I always envisioned, to be competing with the best fighters out there,” Munhoz explained. “I’m very glad to be able to do what I like to do most, and that’s fighting at the top 10 for the last five years. Just that in itself shows the kind of competitive, high-level skills fighters we have at the bantamweight division.
“For me, it’s such a big honor to be part of these fighters. Now I’m fighting No. 5 former champion in my last six fights, so it’s definitely something that makes me very excited. I want to keep working as hard as I can and as smart as I can, to keep climbing the ladder and be able to capitalize and learn new skills and still be competing in the biggest organization in the world.”
