Jacare Souza was one of several fighters in must-win territory at UFC 262.
The Brazilian legend and former Strikeforce champion, at age 41, entered his fight against Andre Muniz on a three-fight losing streak. While there was an argument to be made that those three losses came against some of the best in the middleweight (and light heavyweight) division, the optics were not good.
For Muniz, meanwhile, Jacare represented a chance to get noticed, with what would no doubt be the biggest name to date faced in his career.
Noticed he was.
As always, Jacare did his alligator crawl into the octagon Saturday, capped off with a cartwheel. But it was Muniz getting going first with a kick Saturday, while Jacare answered back with his hands. Souza put the pressure on early, finally closing the distance about a minute in, dropping for a level change. He landed the takedown, and pulled the legs out from under Muniz while the younger man’s back was to the fence. Souza then softened up Muniz with punches, but before long, Muniz was back on his feet.
Back out in the open, Muniz was soon able to land a takedown of his own. While he couldn’t hold him Souza down, it was a good sign for Muniz, who later took the back of Jacare standing. When they went down, Muniz latched onto Souza’s arm, potentially breaking it before Jacare could tap! The snap was clear as day on replay, a sound not likely to be forgotten soon.
Sergipano submits the legend!
🇧🇷 @AndreMunizUFC gets it done lightning fast in RD 1! #UFC262 pic.twitter.com/hlhuZ0iaj3
— UFC (@ufc) May 16, 2021
Official Result: Andre Muniz def. Jacare Souza by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 3:59
