OFFICIAL: Mark Munoz vs. Chris Weidman will headline UFC on Fuel TV 4
The rumored headlining bout for UFC on Fuel TV 4 has been officially confirmed, as Mark Munoz will face surging prospect Chris Weidman on July 11. This bout will feature two of the Middleweight division’s fastest-rising stars, with both combatants riding four-fight win streaks.
Munoz had been surging as of last fall, when he destroyed Chris Leben with ground-and-pound in Birmingham, England. Utilizing his NCAA wrestling prominence, Munoz has patented his own style of “Donkey Kong ground-and-pound” to beat opponents into stoppage. Slated to face Chael Sonnen at UFC on Fox 2 in January, he experienced an elbow injury requiring surgery. Michael Bisping replaced him in that bout, losing a close decision. With his sights set clearly on the UFC Middleweight championship, Munoz will find himself with quite the roadblock in the form of young prospect Chris Weidman.
Weidman, also a Division I wrestler, has been impressive in his undefeated career, sitting with an 8-0 record and title aspirations of his own. While he looked a bit sluggish in his last fight versus Demian Maia at UFC on Fox 2, he did earn a decision victory after a massive weight cut on short notice. His submission skills have proven to be quite solid, evident by his victories over Tom Lawlor and Jess Bongfeldt. A victory over Munoz could skyrocket him into the top levels of the Middleweight ranks, with a title shot in Weidman’s not-too-distant future.
The announcement of this fight adds another great bout to the UFC’s summer schedule. Both fighters are excellent wrestlers who bring it all each time out, and it would seem that both are as hungry for the title as any fighter on the roster today. Who will come out victorious? Will it be the power wrestling and striking of Munoz, or can the younger Weidman pull off a slight upset with his own wrestling and submission game?
Further Reading: Mark Munoz wants a title shot, says Michael Bisping wouldn’t last three-rounds with him
