Pedro Munhoz


Pedro Henrique Lopes Munhoz is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former Bantamweight Champion of Resurrection Fighting Alliance.

Background

Munhoz began training Shotokan karate at the age of six, picking up judo a couple of years later before starting to train Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 13.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

A professional since 2009, Munhoz began his career competing in local promotions in his native São Paulo, Brazil before moving to the United States in 2011. He competed in several regional promotions across the United States, compiling an undefeated record and eventually became Resurrection Fighting Alliance bantamweight champion on August 16, 2013, after defeating notable veteran Jeff Curran by split decision. Munhoz defended his title for the first time on January 24, 2014, defeating Billy Daniels via first round submission. After the victory over Daniels, Munhoz signed with the UFC in early February 2014.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

2014

Munhoz made his promotional debut on February 22, 2014, as a short notice replacement for an injured Francisco Rivera and faced top contender Raphael Assunção at UFC 170. Assunção defeated Munhoz via unanimous decision.
Munhoz faced promotional newcomer Matt Hobar on May 31, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale. Munhoz defeated Hobar via first round TKO.
Munhoz faced Jerrod Sanders on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 54. He won the fight via submission in the first round. A few months later, it was revealed that Munhoz tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. Munhoz's camp requested testing documentation and didn't receive it until three months later. He said a review of the results by anti-doping specialist Paul Scott determined that his testosterone was not, in fact, elevated, coming in at 850 ng/mL, or on the high end of the normal range for men his age. He admitted to using two supplements allowed by the UFC that may have elevated his testosterone, but not outside the legal limit. On November 4, 2015, Munhoz was suspended for one year retroactive to his fight due to testosterone metabolites of an exogenous origin and his win was changed to a no-contest.

2015

Munhoz faced Jimmie Rivera on November 7, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 77. He lost the fight via split decision.

2016

Munhoz next faced Russell Doane on July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez. He won the fight via submission in the first round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.
Munhoz faced Justin Scoggins on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 100. He won the bout submission in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

2017

Munhoz faced Damian Stasiak on May 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Munhoz faced Rob Font on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida. He won the fight via submission in round one. This win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus award.

2018

Munhoz was expected to face John Dodson at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders on February 3, 2018. However, Munhoz missed weight by four pounds over the bantamweight non title fight upper limit of 136 pounds, and Dodson declined to take the fight and the fight was cancelled. The fight was rescheduled to UFC 222 on March 3, 2018. Munhoz lost the fight via split decision.
Munhoz faced Brett Johns August 4, 2018, at UFC 227. He won the fight by unanimous decision after knocking Johns down several times during the bout.
Munhoz faced Bryan Caraway on November 30, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

2019

Munhoz faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. The win also earned Munhoz his first Fight of the Night bonus award.
Munhoz faced Aljamain Sterling on June 8, 2019, at UFC 238. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

2020

Munhoz was scheduled to face former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar on July 15, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige. However, on July 6, it was announced that Munhoz was pulled from the bout after testing positive for COVID-19. The pairing was redscheduled and took place on August 22, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 15. Munhoz lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision. 19 out of 23 media outlets scored the bout for Munhoz. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

2021

A rematch against Jimmie Rivera was scheduled on January 30, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 20. On December 26, 2020, it was announced that the bout was moved to January 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 20. The pairing was rescheduled once again in early January as they were moved to UFC 258 on February 13, 2021, due to undisclosed reasons. During the week leading up to the event, the bout was delayed again due to a positive COVID-19 test for someone within the two camps. The pairing remained intact and took place two weeks later at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane. Munhoz won the fight via unanimous decision. This bout earned him a Fight of the Night bonus award.
Munhoz faced former UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo on August 7, 2021, at UFC 265. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Munhoz faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz on December 11, 2021, at UFC 269. Despite knocking Cruz down twice and almost finishing him in the first round, Munhoz ultimately lost the fight via unanimous decision. The bout earned the Fight of the Night bonus award.

2022

Munhoz faced Sean O'Malley on July 2, 2022, at UFC 276. It was ruled a no contest in the second round due to an inadvertent eye poke that rendered Munhoz unable to continue. Following the bout, Munhoz published his medical record showing that he suffered an abrasion across his right cornea.

2023

Munhoz faced Chris Gutiérrez on April 15, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 44. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Munhoz faced Marlon Vera on August 19, 2023, at UFC 292, stepping in as a replacement for an injured Henry Cejudo. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. 14 out of 17 media outlets scored the bout for Munhoz.

2024

Munhoz faced Kyler Phillips on March 9, 2024 at UFC 299. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Munhoz faced Aiemann Zahabi on November 2, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Munhoz has two daughters: one from a previous relationship and one with his wife, Varinea.

Championships and accomplishments