Bantamweight Title bout: Jeff Curran (+180) vs. Pedro Munhoz (-260) Fight Breakdown: The main event for the RFA 9 card features a bout for the organization’s vacant bantamweight title between two Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts when Jeff Curran takes on Pedro Munhoz. Munhoz is currently the favorite at -260 ($260 to win $100) with the return on the underdog Curran being +180 ($100 to win $180) at Several Bookmakerss. Jeff Curran (34-15 MMA, 0-0 RFA) is a 35 year old three-time UFC veteran who owns a second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He can always be dangerous when the fight hits the mat. His striking and wrestling are average, and he has always been outclassed by superior strikers and/or wrestlers. Curran posseses great cardio, is very durable, and has an excellent chin. He was released by the UFC after suffering consecutive unanimous decision losses to Scott Jorgensen and Johnny Eduardo. He enters this bout looking to get his second win since his release, hoping to capture the RFA bantamweight title in the process. Perhaps a win and defense of this belt will get him back on Sean Shelby’s radar for one last stint in the Octagon. This will be the 50th professional fight for Jeff Curran, but only the second ever five-round title fight. The first was against Urijah Faber for the WEC Featherweight title at WEC 31, where he lost via second round submission. Pedro Munhoz (8-0 MMA, 2-0 RFA) is a crowd pleasing fighter who likes to move forward and finish fights. Munhoz is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Marco Barbosa and an excellent submission grappler. Munhoz is a Brazilian who trains out of Black House MMA in Los Angeles with notable training partners Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Rafael Dos Anjos. He works his striking under the tutelage of Rafael Cordeiro and his wrestling under Kenny Johnson. Munhoz has crisp boxing and Muay Thai skills. He has trained Karate and Judo since childhood, thus has a solid base. He can keep the fight on the feet, if he pleases, as he has fantastic takedown defense. He is never afraid to take it to the mat, though, since his submission grappling game is off the charts. Munhoz loves to strike, but he finds it more satisfying to get the submission. This is the first five round fight of Pedro Munhoz’s career, so his cardio will be tested. Fight Prediction: I think Munhoz gets the better of Curran on the feet and on the ground. Curran is tough to finish, so aside from catching him with a guillotine or something, I see Munhoz getting the better of him en route to a Decision victory. Gabe’s Pick: Pedro Munhoz by Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Pedro Munhoz -260
