MMA Preview – Ronaldo Souza vs Andre Muniz at UFC 262
RONALDO SOUZA VS ANDRE MUNIZ FACTS
When is UFC 262? Sunday 16th May, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 262? Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 262? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 261
What channel is UFC 262 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 262? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
RONALDO SOUZA VS ANDRE MUNIZ LOWDOWN
It seems father time has finally caught up with Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza (26-9(1)). We have seen him grow from a jiu-jitsu legend to an accomplished Mixed Martial Artist and Strikeforce champion and went on to consistently flirt with a UFC title shot but at the age of 41 he has lost five of his last seven and on a three-fight skid. His last two wins were spectacular knockouts after defeats – After getting knocked out by Robert Whittaker sparked by a head kick, he decided to do the same against Derek Brunson. He then lost a split decision to Kelvin Gastelum and then proceeded to knock out Chris Weidman. However, he is now coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jack Hermansson, a split decision to Jan Blachowicz and a knockout to Kevin Holland.
Fellow grappling phenom, Andre Muniz (20-4) is at the start of his UFC career and he heads to Houston hoping to snatch the torch from Jacare. He has only lost once in his last 15 fights and after a unanimous decision over Bruno Assis and submission over Taylor Johnson, he finally got the call from the UFC. He was paired with Antonio Arroyo who was also making his debut and on a five-fight win streak and managed a unanimous decision. He followed that up by notching the 13th submission of his career pulling off an armbar on Bartosz Fabinski.
RONALDO SOUZA VS ANDRE MUNIZ PREDICTION
Pitting two jiu-jitsu wizards against each other usually means we will see a striking battle. We know how confident Jacare has become in his hands and Muniz is improving boasting a significant six-inch reach advantage.
That said, Jacare’s advantage on the feet should tell which could force Muniz into a takedown. From here, we should see a fascinating grappling contest.
Muniz has all of the momentum and hunger right now, but this is a huge step-up in competition despite Jacare’s form and nearing retirement. The red on his record does not look pretty but the losses are to exceptional competition including the light heavyweight champion Blachowicz who he took to a split decision.
Muniz has a bright future, but stylistically, this is a good match-up for Jacare who has some of the best jiu-jitsu in the sport, better wrestling, better stand-up and as all Muniz’s losses have come via knockout, we are leaning towards a fifth.
Prediction: Jacare Souza via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
