LAS VEGAS – Pedro Munhoz is targeting a big name at 135 pounds.
The UFC bantamweight contender wants to take on former champion T.J. Dillashaw following his win Saturday at UFC Fight Night 186. Munhoz (19-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) avenged his 2015 loss to Jimmie Rivera (23-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) with a unanimous decision on the main card. The win put Munhoz back in the win column after a controversial split decision loss to Frankie Edgar in August 2020.
Now, with a win under his belt, Munhoz wants to be Dillashaw’s return fight. The former champ is eligible to compete after serving a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
“I heard some rumors that T.J. Dillashaw is coming back,” Munhoz told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 186 post-fight news conference. “The possibility of fighting Marlon (Moraes) – it wont happen so soon. Besides training partners, we became friends. We wouldn’t fight unless it was for the title.
“We also have so many big names out there in the mix that I want to fight. I think a fight with T.J. Dillashaw would make sense. T.J. Dillashaw is coming back. I heard some stuff that he’s coming back. I have nothing against him. I’m nobody to judge him or whatever. If the UFC thinks that fight makes sense, I would be willing to fight him or anyone else.”
Dillashaw’s USADA suspension ended in late January. He was suspended in January 2019 after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in an in-competition test prior to his loss in a flyweight title fight against then-champion Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw relinquished his UFC 135-pound title with the suspension looming.
Munhoz, who’s ranked in the top 10 of the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings, has no problem with Dillashaw diving right into the top of the division. The Brazilian steered away from any criticism toward Dillashaw.
“I think (he should fight the best in his return). I’m not looking to point and judge him for anything,” Munhoz said. “When he got off from the game, he was the champion. So he’s coming back, I think they’re going to give him a big name or a big fight. I’ll be willing to fight anyone the UFC offers me.”
