Report: Jose Aldo vs Pedro Munhoz in the works for UFC 265

A battle between Top 10-ranked Bantamweight contenders is in the works for UFC 265 on Aug. 7, 2021.

If all goes according to plan, former Featherweight champion Jose Aldo (now No. 5 at his new home of 135 pounds) will face No. 8-ranked Pedro Munhoz. The bout was first reported by Brazilian news outlet Combate.

Aldo is coming off a win over Marlon Vera in Dec. 2020, his first since dropping down a weight class. But it’s worth noting that his debut performance over Marlos Moraes was so good that UFC granted him a title shot, even though the judges ruled in Moraes’ favor. Aldo then lost that title fight against Petr Yan.

So a few tough defeats, but Aldo is looking pretty good at 135 pounds all things considered.

Munhoz snapped a two-fight losing streak (to beasts Aljamain Sterling and Frankie Edgar) with a decision win over Jimmie Rivera in February. As with everyone in the Bantamweight Top 10, Munhoz is an extremely tough fighter and this match with Aldo is practically guaranteed to be in the running for “Fight of the Night.”

As for UFC 265, very few details are known about this card. It has no location or even locked in date, and no headlining fight. At the moment, Amanda Nunes vs. Juliana Pena for the women’s Bantamweight title is the biggest confirmed bout. Other bouts on the card include Uriah Hall vs. Sean Strickland and Vince Morales vs. Drako Rodriguez.

With Aldo vs. Munhoz leaking, you know there’s more good stuff in the works. We’ll keep you informed as the card grows.