Both Jose Aldo and Pedro Munhoz had snapped losing streaks in their last outing prior to UFC 265.
Which meant that their showdown in Houston had the potential to put the winner back into contention at 135lbs. With Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2 expected in the fall, a least one more win would likely be required for the winner of Aldo vs. Munhoz, but the fight still had plenty on the line.
There was plenty of respect shown early in the UFC 265 co-main event, as Aldo and Munhoz went through a feeling out period while each tried to find their range. Munhoz chopped at Aldo’s lead leg, taking a page out of the former featherweight champ’s book, but Aldo was hip to the attack and checked every one.
Aldo, meanwhile, attacked his opponent’s body, which created openings for him to occasionally mix things up and go upstairs. Munhoz was loading up on his shots, but Aldo was more active and accurate, again digging to the body, this time with an uppercut in the final minute.
Pedro Munhoz came out swinging in the second, landing his left hand and backing Aldo up. Aldo fired a low kick, and as the round progressed, settled into a rhythm, working his jab, firing the occasional kick, and picking his shots. Munhoz walked into that jab more than once, and Aldo began firing off a few 1-2s in the bottom half of the frame.
The third round saw Aldo continue to target the body of Munhoz. With the potential of a 20-18 for Aldo heading into the final five minutes, Munhoz was going to need to make something happen. Instead, it was Aldo connecting with a combo underscored by a hard right hand. Moments later, Aldo dropped Munhoz with a left, though Pedro was quickly back to his feet. Munhoz tried to pull off a couple of spinning attacks, finding little more than air. He would press in the final minute, marching forward, but the finish wasn’t there.
VINTAGE Jose Aldo letting it go in the final seconds 😤
[ @JoseAldoJunior | #UFC265 ] pic.twitter.com/21CvItbRiI
— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2021
Official Result: Jose Aldo def. Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
