“I don’t have much time left. I’m 37 next month. I’ve been doing this professionally since 2008 and even though I love to fight, in order for us to start something new in our life we have to end our chapter in a good way. We finish good, we start something good. I’m at a point where I have a goal, and this is my last run for the title.”
The next step in that journey includes being thrown right back into the fire against the No. 6 ranked Vera, who believes he’s on the verge of title contention if both he and O’Malley win at UFC 292. Like Munhoz, Vera began his UFC career in 2014 and has since made over 20 walks to the Octagon.
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Having fought very similar opponents, Munhoz had Vera on his radar for many years and is excited at the opportunity to finally share the Octagon with him. The timing for this matchup couldn’t be better for “The Young Punisher,” as a win against someone with a high ranking and star power will move Munhoz right up the short list of contenders a fight or two away from challenging for a belt.
Munhoz also sees a lot of similarities in how he and Vera fight stylistically, crediting both of their durability, jiu-jitsu accolades and striking. However, Munhoz believes he’s a step ahead of Vera in each of those categories.
