Dominick Cruz returns at UFC 269 to face Pedro Munhoz in final pay-per-view of 2021

A key bantamweight matchup is in the works for the UFC’s December pay-per-view event.

Former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is expected to fight Pedro Munhoz on Dec. 11 at UFC 269 after the two sides verbally agreed. The event does not yet have a confirmed location or venue, although it is expected to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Multiple people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the news to MMA Junkie following an initial report from MMA Fighting.

Cruz (23-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will look to make it two wins a row after picking up his first since 2016 earlier this year. At UFC 259 in March, Cruz defeated Casey Kenney by split decision in an intense battle, snapping a two-fight skid.

On the other side, Munhoz (19-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to former featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 265. Munhoz has fought top names in the division with mixed results since 2019, having faced Cody Garbrandt, Aljamain Sterling, Frankie Edgar, and Jimmie Rivera.

UFC 269 features a trio of title fights as the promotion looks to close out the calendar year strong. The main event will see Charles Oliveira attempt to defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier. The co-main pits champ-champ Amanda Nunes against Julianna Pena for the women’s bantamweight title. The third title fight is a trilogy between recently crowned flyweight champion Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo.

The current UFC 269 lineup includes:

• Champ Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier– for lightweight title
• Champ Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena – for women’s bantamweight title
• Champ Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo – for flyweight title
• Randy Costa vs. Tony Kelley
• Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara-France
• Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gillian Robertson
• Maycee Barber vs. Montana De La Rosa
• Dricus Du Plessis vs. Andre Muniz
• Alex Perez vs. Matt Schnell
• Ryan Hall vs. Darrick Minner
• Dominick Cruz vs. Pedro Munhoz