Preview: UFC on ESPN 44 ‘Holloway vs. Allen’

Bantamweights

#13 BW | Chris Gutierrez (19-4-2, 7-1-1 UFC) vs. #9 BW | Pedro Munhoz (19-7, 9-7 UFC)

ODDS: Gutierrez (-200), Munhoz (+170)

Gutierrez has been the dark horse of a deep bantamweight division for a while, but “El Guapo” might finally be stringing together enough impressive performances to get some notice. Gutierrez dropped his UFC debut to Raoni Barcelos in 2018, then quietly racked up win after win. Gutierrez clearly separated himself as the better fighter against most of his opposition but did so behind a slow-paced and neutralizing style, making it understandable that he would continue to coast under the radar despite his success. However, 2022 served as a breakout year, as a highlight-reel spinning backfist knockout of Batgerel Danaa earned Gutierrez the nod as Frankie Edgar’s final opponent on the main card of UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in November. Most of the focus was rightfully on Edgar before and after the fight, but it was an impressive showing from Gutierrez to close the show on the former champion in short order. Edgar may have finally looked old, but Gutierrez did not waste time with a passive approach and landed a big knee for a knockout in just two minutes. Now in the UFC rankings, Gutierrez looks primed to make his charge up the ladder, and Munhoz is an interesting next test.

Munhoz is in a bit of a frustrating spot, as “The Young Punisher” has clearly established himself as a high-level bantamweight but has also clearly been turned back any time he attempts to break into the divisional elite. Munhoz made his hay for most of his career with a simple but effective approach. One of the most durable fighters on the UFC roster, Munhoz was content to absorb offense in the name of consistent pressure, hoping he could eventually overwhelm his opponents and force them to shoot a takedown, at which point he could unleash his signature guillotine choke. It worked amazingly well up until the point that it clearly failed. Veterans like Edgar, Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz were able to outmaneuver Munhoz without much issue and make his game look simple, proving that the Brazilian did not have much of a backup plan beyond continuing to charge after his opponent. Munhoz did show some potential for a change-up in his aborted no contest against Sean O'Malley, standing his ground and blasting the MMA Lab star with some leg kicks before getting poked in the eye. With Gutierrez possessing a clear size advantage and already fighting behind a mental approach centered around minimizing mistakes, this looks like another fight where Munhoz’s opponent can outmaneuver him without much issue. The pick is Gutierrez via decision.

Jump To »
Holloway vs. Allen
Quarantillo vs. Barboza
Jacoby vs. Murzakanov
Cutelaba vs. Boser
Gutierrez vs. Munhoz
Garcia vs. Guida
The Prelims