Back in Business

Andre Muniz can attest to the fact that ups and downs are a time-honored part of the process for most mixed martial artists.

The two-time Dana White’s Contender Series alum will look to climb another rung on the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight ladder when he collides with Ikram Aliskerov in a featured UFC on ESPN 66 attraction this Saturday at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Muniz, 35, kicked off his run inside the promotion with five consecutive victories—a bone-breaking submission of Ronaldo Souza was the clear highlight—before back-to-back losses to Brendan Allen and Paul Craig stymied his momentum. He last saw action at UFC Fight Night 233, where he eked out a split decision over Jun Yong Park in their three-round encounter on Dec. 9, 2023.

“Wins and losses are part of our lives as fighters,” Muniz told Sherdog.com. “It’s part of the game. We must keep training and looking to evolve.”

Questions abound after more than 500 days of inactivity. Muniz had two previous engagements with Aliskerov canceled—one due to injury, the other due to travel issues. A decorated sambo practitioner, Aliskerov has rattled off seven wins across his past eight appearances, losing only to former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Khamzat Chimaev was responsible for the Russian’s only other defeat in 2019.

“Ikram is a great athlete,” Muniz said. “He’s a sambo world champion who has fought in major organizations. I believe that my time in the UFC, with all my wins and losses, will have me even more mature for this fight. I believe that both of us will look to strike. I’m putting in the work so I can win by knockout. I hope that’s how I’ll win.”

Muniz operates out of the Tata Fight Team camp in his native Brazil, where coaches Otavio Duarte, Phillip Lima and Pedro Henrique oversee his training. He remains one of the most feared ground technicians in the 185-pound weight class, having delivered 15 of his 24 professional victories via submission. Should “Sergipano” get past Aliskerov, he could once again find himself in position to challenge a Top 15 middleweight.

“My goal is to fight three times this year and get back to climbing up the UFC rankings,” Muniz said. “I wish to leave my name in the history of the organization.”