MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos Mark Munoz and Mark Eddiva take on different foes in two separate Ultimate Fighting Championship cards Sunday (Phl time), hoping for a victory and a chance to get in line for a potential title crack in their respective divisions.
Munoz, nicknamed "The Filipino Wrecking Machine," faces off with Dutch kickboxer Gegard Mousasi in a non-titled middleweight, five-round bout, which will headline the UFC Fight Night Berlin in Germany.
Munoz (13-4-0) weighed in at 186 pounds while Mousasi (34-4-2) 185.
As for Eddiva, he will battle Brazilian Kevin Souza in the latter's home turf in Sao Paulo, Brazil in one of the undercards of the UFC's The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale.
Eddiva, a wushu Southeast Asian Games gold medallist, made an impressive UFC debut by beating a heavily favored Jumabieke Tuerxun of China in UFC Fight Pass in Macao, China last March 1 to remain undefeated in six mixed martial arts fights.
It will be interesting to see how Munoz can cope with a fighter that fought Loyoto "The Dragon" Machida via the full, five-round route with the latter ending up with a unanimous decision win in UFC Fight Night in Brazil last February 15.
It can be recalled that Munoz lost to Machida in only the first round via head kick in Manchester, England late last year that derailed the Fil-Am's title aspiration once again.
Munoz though had a ready plan for Mousasi.
"He (Mousasi) is awesome on his feet and versed on the ground as well," Munoz told ufc.com. "He has some shortcomings with wrestling that's where it going to get complicated because I'm going out there and exploit his shortcomings on wrestling."
As for Eddiva, his showdown with Souza (14-3-0) is a match made in heaven since both fighters are known strikers.
"This fight is challenging and exciting, knowing that Kevin is also a striker," said Eddiva.
Eddiva also added that fighting in the UFC is a dream come true.
"At this point, it means my entire MMA life to me. I had been in hibernation for years and now I have the opportunity to do a comeback, and, of all platforms, it is in the UFC. Thank you," he said.