Pedro Munhoz has asked the UFC to release him after more than a decade with the promotion. The 39-year-old Brazilian said he wants a new direction while still planning to keep fighting.
Munhoz requests release
Munhoz confirmed the news in a social media post. He said he joined the UFC in 2014 and has fought 32 times for the company. In his post he noted he has never been submitted or knocked out in those fights and said he is ready to explore other opportunities.
“There comes a point in life when you don’t just stay comfortable, you take control of what’s next. Right now, I feel it’s time to take a new direction, explore different opportunities, and focus on other important areas of my life. I’ve asked the UFC to release me, and I’m currently in the process of becoming a free agent.” — Pedro Munhoz (Instagram)
Munhoz also made clear he is not retiring. “I’m not retiring yet. Still hungry. Still focused. Still ready to put on great fights and make statements,” he wrote.
Career highlights
Known as “The Young Punisher,” Munhoz built a reputation as one of the bantamweight division’s toughest and most durable fighters. He shared the cage with top names such as Jose Aldo, Dominick Cruz, Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, Frankie Edgar, and Cody Garbrandt.
Munhoz scored big wins over Cody Garbrandt, Rob Font, and Jimmie Rivera during his UFC career. He also earned multiple post-fight bonuses for his performances over the years.
Recent form and final UFC fight
Results have slowed for Munhoz in recent seasons. He enters free agency on a three-fight losing streak and has gone 2-7-1 in his last ten fights. His most recent bout came in November 2024 at UFC Edmonton, where he lost a unanimous decision to Aiemann Zahabi.
That November 2024 fight in Edmonton stands as the last official result on his UFC run. Despite the recent losses, Munhoz’s experience, toughness, and name recognition should attract interest from other promotions.
Next steps and possible landing spots
Munhoz said he wants to explore different opportunities outside the Octagon. Promotions such as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) were mentioned as possible landing spots, though no offers have been announced.
As he moves into free agency, Munhoz will likely weigh offers based on money, fight opportunities, and life outside the cage. For now, he remains focused on competing and proving he can still deliver big fights.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Pedro Munhoz | Lost unanimous decision to Aiemann Zahabi (UFC Edmonton, November 2024). Three-fight losing streak. 2-7-1 in last 10 fights. |
| Aiemann Zahabi | Defeated Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (UFC Edmonton, November 2024). |
Original Instagram statement by Munhoz: https://www.instagram.com/p/DW4hodBlf2r/
Highlight video of Munhoz’s notable wins: https://www.ufc.com/video/104082
