Preview: UFC on ESPN 49 Prelims

Lightweights

Alex Munoz (6-2, 0-2 UFC) vs. Carl Deaton (17-6, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Munoz (-150), Deaton (+130)

Lightweights each look for their first UFC win here. Munoz is one of the more anonymous fighters on the roster at the moment, in part due to his inactivity—he has only had two fights during nearly four years with the company—and also thanks to a solid but nondescript game. Munoz is a solid wrestler with a functional but slow-paced striking style, making him a tough out who will rarely completely take over a fight. He grinded out a win over Nick Newell on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2018 that did not immediately earn him a contract, and his two fights in the UFC thus far were both decision losses where Munoz acquitted himself well. Munoz looks to build some momentum against Deaton, who was signed as a late replacement to take on Joe Solecki in February. Solecki got the expected win by relying on his grappling chops and not giving Deaton much of a chance to thrive on the type of chaos in which he has historically been at his best. Deaton should wind up marching forward and trying to make things happen, but Munoz should also come out the better end of what looks like a clear athleticism gap, even if that manifests as another wrestling-heavy affair. The pick is Munoz via decision.

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