Canadian bantamweight Aiemann Zahabi was in search of his fifth straight win at UFC Edmonton, where he took on 135lb veteran Pedro Munhoz.
Zahabi was coming in having been the first to defeat hot prospect Javid Basharat, a feat that likely landed him the fight with Munhoz, who had shared the cage with some of bantamweight’s best.
Both fighters started the opening round feeling each other out on the feet. Munhoz pressured forward, while Zahabi looked to counter from distance. Munhoz landed a few low leg kicks that got the attention of the Zahabi. In the final minute Zahabi landed a high kick that was the most significant strike of the round.
Munhoz continued to press forward keeping Zahabi on the back foot in round two. Zahabi showed a good jab keeping Munhoz off of him and followed up with a big straight right hand. Midway into round two Zahabi started to take control throwing crisp combinations to the body and head of Munhoz. Both of the takedowns that Munhoz attempted in the second round were unsuccessful. Zahabi showed very good takedown defense through ten minutes.
Entering the final rounds Zahabi seemed to be ahead in the fight. Both fighters got into wild exchanges in the third round trading significant blows on the inside. Munhoz landed a left hook that snapped back Zahabi’s head, but the Canadian contender answered with a jab that opened a cut over his opponents eye. After the final bell sounded, Zahabi had out struck Munhoz 95-82 in significant strikes. Munhoz couldn’t land any of his six attempted takedowns. The judges saw this one in favor of Zahabi by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). This victory marked the fifth win in a row for Zahabi who is making a legitimate run at 135 pounds.
Official Result: Aiemann Zahabi def. Pedro Munhoz via Unanimous Decision (29-28×2, 30-27)
