UFC 123: Mark Munoz vs Aaron Simpson official for Nov. 20

by Jesse Holland on Sep 15, 2010 9:47 AM EDT

Wrestlemania?

Two of the Octagon's most gifted mat technicians will finally collide as Mark Munoz and Aaron Simpson have been pegged for a middleweight mash-up at the upcoming UFC 123: "Rampage vs. Machida" pay-per-view on Nov. 20 in Auburn Hills, MI.

The UFC confirmed the rumored match-up late last night.

Munoz (8-2) is coming off a hard-fought split-decision loss to Yushin Okami at last month's UFC on Versus 2 event in San Diego. It was the first loss for the "Philippine Wrecking Machine" after three consecutive wins.

While the loss to "Thunder" temporarily booted him from the title chase, a big win in the suburbs of Detroit could go a long way in getting him back in the hunt.

Like Munoz, Simpson's ascension was derailed in his last appearance. "A-Train" (7-1) was stopped via technical knockout by the resurgent Chris Leben at the Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale back in June.

The loss to "The Crippler" was the first of his professional career.

UFC 123 will be headlined by a light heavyweight match up of top contenders Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Karo "The Heat" Parisyan has also been given a second chance at UFC stardom against the venerable Dennis "Superman" Hallman.

And two guys you've probably never heard of, Matt Hughes and BJ Penn, will complete their welterweight trilogy.

For the current UFC 123 fight card and rumors click here.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Munoz sucks.....

extremely hittable and his wrestling doesn’t translate. Aaron is gonna bomb on him.

Big Nog for Life
Inventor/supporter of "Gleison Tibau to Featherweight" movement.

by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Sep 15, 2010 9:52 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yup

Told you all along, munoz sucks.

And he was talking about a titleshot before his last fight roflmao.

by Lester The Pimp on Sep 15, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually

This could be one of the most underated better fights in a long while. Both guys have a massive potential. Both Munoz and Simpson have a ton of right hand power and good wrestling. I think this will end up being a standing fight ending in KO. I gotta go with Simpson though, just because I think Munoz isnt a technical boxer although Leben isnt either and K0ed him, so who knows. Im just excited about this one.

by c-war on Sep 15, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Should be a good fight...

When wrestlers fight wrestlers it normally (certainly not always) turns out to be a better fight than when a wrestler pushes up a striker against the cage for 3 rounds. I think it would be interesting if the UFC stareted having exhibition tournaments. For example, if the 8 best LWs at BJJ had a BJJ tournament, and if the 8 best HWs at wrestling had a wrestling tournament and the 8 best strikers at LHW had a boxing/kickboxing tournament (would need big gloves and head gear to prevent serious injuries and keeping them from fighting a real MMA fight). Sure, we know who would win, but it would be interesting to see if any dark horses were able to pull out second or third place.

formerly the original UFCAddict... back when mania used to keep score of how many comments we made. Currently ranked 22nd on UFC.com fantasy picks.

by Geoff H. on Sep 15, 2010 10:21 AM EDT reply actions

I got Mark on this one

I like bacon...and Rashad Evans is a pussy

by Big-dawg on Sep 15, 2010 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Munoz stand up sucks

if he can’t get Simpson down and get his GnP game going, I don’t see how he can win.
I know both of these guys are credentialed amateur wrestlers, does anyone know who is the better wrestler based on college experience? I’m kind of lost on that.

"That wasn't just winning. I mean, that was just demolishment."

by Tuff.Gong on Sep 15, 2010 11:51 AM EDT reply actions