What Is The Status Of UFC Bantamweight Pedro Munhoz?
The long-awaited debut of Frankie Edgar at bantamweight will have to wait.
According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Edgar’s fight on July 15 against Pedro Munhoz has been nixed. Scheduled for “Fight Island” on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, Munhoz tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the change. According to Helwani, the UFC is still looking to book an opponent for Edgar, who is on a two-fight losing streak.
Munhoz (18-4, 1 NC) last fought in June 2019, losing to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 238. The loss ended a three-fight win streak, with the last win coming against former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt via KO. A former RFA Bantamweight Champion, Munhoz made his UFC debut in 2014.
Ranked seventh in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings, Munhoz was set to co-headline the fight card with Edgar. The 38-year-old Edgar is a former UFC Lightweight Champion who recently made a run at featherweight. He has competed twice for the UFC Featherweight Title, losing twice to Jose Aldo (interim) and Max Holloway. “The Answer’s” last bout was a TKO-loss at the hands of Chan Sung Jung.
Edgar would end up sending a message to Munhoz on social media: “Sorry to hear you had a positive test @PedroMunhozmma wish you a speedy recovery let know as soon as you’re ready to scrap, I’ll be waiting.”
Sorry to hear you had a positive test @PedroMunhozmma wish you a speedy recovery let know as soon as you’re ready to scrap, I’ll be waiting.
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) July 7, 2020
The UFC has been implementing an extensive testing system for COVID-19 for its “Fight Island” events. Up to five tests will be performed before, during, and after the activities take place on Yas Island.
The main event of the July 15 “Fight Island” card will be Dan Ige v. Calvin Kattar.