Boston, MA – When opportunity knocks the bold will answer and UFC bantamweight Pedro Munhoz did just that as he steps in to face Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 292 on Saturday night.
“It’s a lot of expectation going into the fight. I felt great my last fight against Chris (Gutierrez). Just got back in training my last fight,” Munhoz told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“I was training when I got a call from Sean (Shelby) to replace (Henry) Cejudo in six weeks. I felt it was plenty of time to get ready for Chito.”
Munhoz (20-7) replaced Cejudo who pulled from the fight weeks ago due to a shoulder injury. Munhoz comes off a decision victory over Gutierrez at UFC Kansas City in April.
To say Munhoz is taking advantage of the opportunity would be an understatement as a victory over #6 Vera would likely push the #10 bantamweight into the top 5 of the division and the title conversation.
“It’s the type of fight that’s going to be a lot of eyes on us. It’s a big card, a bantamweight title’s going to be displayed on the night, and I believe an impressive victory over Chito is going to push me forward,” he said.
“Towards the gold. So let’s see.”
Speaking of the bantamweight title, the challenger Sean O’Malley, has shared the octagon with Munhoz in the past. Their fight at UFC 276 in 2022 ended in the second round due to an accidental eye poke that Munhoz suffered during the bout.
The fight was officially ruled a no-contest.
“Actually a part of me want to f*ck him up in the hotel, but the other part of me as a father, a husband, and a believer, say ‘no don’t do that’,” Munhoz said with a laugh.
“I’m kidding. We’re professionals. It is what it is. I’m not the guy that I sell my soul to the devil so I can get more followers, sponsors, money, but nobody’s supposed to be like each other.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Pedro Munhoz above. He takes on Marlon “Chito” Vera on the main card of UFC 292 on Saturday night in Boston.
