The UFC has added a middleweight fight between England’s Luke Barnatt and Mark Munoz to their May 16th Fight Night card scheduled for the Philippines.
It is not surprising that the UFC added Munoz to this card, as the Californian uses the nickname “The Philippino Wrecking Machine” because of his family heritage. Munoz last fought here at the end of February at the UFC 184, where he was submitted by rear naked choke in the opening round of his bout with Roan Carneiro. This is a fast turnaround for Munoz, who has had several long layoffs throughout his career.
Now at 37 years old, Munoz has lost three fights in a row and four of five, so he is literally fighting for his UFC life. In losing his last three fights all in the first round he has looked wrecked.
Barnatt has very little in common with Munoz, except that he is in desperate need of a win in the UFC. Barnatt is 6 ft. 6 in. and just 26 years old, and he started his UFC career out with three straight wins. Since then, Barnatt has lost two split decisions to put his stock on a downturn. He comes from the “Ultimate Fighter” reality series’ 17th season and, with his age, he would be best served avoiding a UFC cut that would force him to work his way back to the big company as he enters his prime years. He was originally booked for early April to face Clint Hester, a 28 year old who is 4-1 in the UFC, but that bout was scrapped in favor of the Munoz fight.
Munoz, as a big puncher, will be dangerous, but he will have a serious height disadvantage. Munoz is probably going to have to take his chances coming in and looking for a takedown but he has looked so listless in his last outings that his ability to sustain top position and execute ground and pound against a man more than 10 years younger are in question. Should Barnatt come in as an underdog, he could prove to have considerable value.
