Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Muniz Fight Analysis
Fight Overview
Mark your calendars for UFC 320 on October 5, 2025 at the famed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Slated for the Preliminary Card, the Middleweight clash between Edmen Shahbazyan and Andre Muniz kicks off at approximately 8:00 PM PT (doors open earlier, with prelims starting around 6:30 PM PT). This pivotal matchup pits a rising young knockout artist against one of the division’s most dangerous submission specialists, setting the stage for fireworks under the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip.
Key Details
- Event: UFC 320 – Ankalaev vs Pereira 2
- Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
- Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV, United States
- Card Position: Preliminary Card (likely Main Event of Prelims)
- Weight Class: Middleweight (185 lbs)
Betting Odds & Moneyline Favorites
Heading into this showdown, oddsmakers have made Edmen Shahbazyan the clear favorite, reflecting his formidable punching power and youth advantage. Here’s how the current moneylines stack up across three major sportsbooks:
- Edmen Shahbazyan (Favorite):
- BetOnline.ag: –240
- FanDuel: –260
- BetRivers: –250
- Andre Muniz (Underdog):
- BetOnline.ag: +205
- FanDuel: +196
- BetRivers: +195
To illustrate the shift in public and sharp money, Shahbazyan opened as a –175 favorite on BetOnline.ag back on September 16 but has since shortened appreciably to –240, indicating strong confidence in his striking prowess. Conversely, Muniz’s line has drifted from +150 to +205, underscoring his underdog status but also flashing value for bettors who believe his veteran savvy and submission pedigree can alter the script.
Why This Fight Matters
- Edmen Shahbazyan (15-5-0, age 27) burst onto the scene as a blue-chip prospect, amassing 12 first-round finishes and earning a reputation for explosive, highlight-reel knockouts. Despite recent tests—he rebounded from a loss to Gerald Meerschaert via second-round submission to notch back-to-back wins over Dylan Budka and Andre Petroski—Shahbazyan remains a litmus test for aspiring contenders.
- Andre Muniz (24-7-0, age 35) brings contrasting dynamics. A submission virtuoso with 15 career submission victories, Muniz carries a sophisticated ground game that has ensnared elite foes. Although he’s been halted by strikes on two occasions in the UFC, his overall grappling résumé and 49% takedown accuracy present a daunting challenge for any striker who neglects takedown defense (Muniz has defended just 36% of incoming attempts, highlighting a vulnerability Shahbazyan could exploit).
As these two fighters step into the Octagon, we’re guaranteed a chess match of styles: explosive striking versus slick submissions. Will Shahbazyan’s iron fist keep the contest upright and decisive, or will Muniz weather the storm, drag the action to the mat, and hunt for a signature choke? Join us as we break down every angle in the sections that follow.
Live odds
Live and historic odds as well as more fighter statistics and insights for Edmen Shahbazyan vs Andre Muniz can be found on the fighter matchup page. All the fighter matchups and live odds for Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 can be found on the Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 event page.
Matchup and Fighter Profiles
In this Middleweight clash, Edmen Shahbazyan’s explosive power meets Andre Muniz’s world-class grappling. Below, we break down each athlete’s background, recent form, and key strengths and vulnerabilities.
Edmen Shahbazyan: The Young Finisher
- Age: 27
- Country: United States (Los Angeles, CA)
- Fighting Style: MMA with a heavy emphasis on striking
- UFC Record: 15-5-0
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
- Win vs. Andre Petroski – Decision (Unanimous) | Jun 14, 2025
- Win vs. Dylan Budka – TKO (Round 1, 1:35) | Feb 15, 2025
- Loss vs. Gerald Meerschaert – Submission (Round 2, 4:12) | Aug 24, 2024
- Win vs. AJ Dobson – TKO (Round 1, 4:33) | Mar 23, 2024
- Loss vs. Anthony Hernandez – TKO (Round 3, 1:01) | May 20, 2023
Strengths:
- Heavy Hands & Early Finishes: 12 of his 15 wins come by knockout, with 12 first-round finishes.
- Striking Accuracy: Lands 49% of significant strikes, reflecting crisp timing and power.
- Takedown Defense: A stout 66% defense rate, making it difficult for opponents to drag him down.
- Pace & Pressure: Average fight time of 7:36 suggests he pushes for an early finish, overwhelming foes before they settle.
Weaknesses:
- Grappling Offense: Takedown accuracy sits at 38%, meaning Shahbazyan’s ground game is underdeveloped.
- Defensive Ceiling: While his takedown defense is strong, his 49% significant strike defense leaves openings for precision counter-strikers.
- Cardio Question Marks: Should the fight enter deep waters, his high-octane starts may leave him gasping in later rounds.
Andre Muniz: The Submission Virtuoso
- Age: 35
- Country: Brazil (Montes Claros)
- Fighting Style: MMA with elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu foundations
- UFC Record: 24-7-0
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
- Loss vs. Ikram Aliskerov – KO/TKO (Round 1, 4:54) | Apr 26, 2025
- Win vs. Jun Yong Park – Split Decision | Dec 9, 2023
- Loss vs. Paul Craig – KO/TKO (Round 2, 4:40) | Jul 22, 2023
- Loss vs. Brendan Allen – Submission (Round 3, 4:25) | Feb 25, 2023
- Win vs. Uriah Hall – Unanimous Decision | Jul 2, 2022
Strengths:
- Submission Arsenal: 15 submission victories point to dangerous chokes from every position.
- Takedown Efficiency: Converts 49% of his takedown attempts, allowing him to establish top control.
- Striking Accuracy & Defense: Lands 50% of his significant strikes while defending 51%, a solid base for setting up entries.
- Fight IQ: Veteran savvy and adaptability allow him to shift tactics—boxing on the feet or wrestling when needed.
Weaknesses:
- Takedown Defense: Defends only 36% of incoming takedowns, making him vulnerable to strong wrestling.
- Chin Durability: Three of his seven losses are by KO/TKO, raising questions about his ability to weather heavy hitters.
- Pace & Age: At 35, Muniz’s average fight time of 9:09 hints at potential fatigue against younger, more explosive opponents.
Style Contrast & Matchup Dynamics
- Striking vs. Grappling: Shahbazyan’s knockout artistry will aim to keep the fight standing, while Muniz’s mission is to secure takedowns and hunt for submissions.
- Cardio Battle: A fast-starting Shahbazyan must finish early to avoid Muniz’s endurance and ground control deep into Round 2 and beyond.
- Key Factor: Can Shahbazyan neutralize takedowns and maintain distance, or will Muniz capitalize on wrestling lapses to drag the fight to the mat?
This stylistic tug-of-war promises fireworks—expect Shahbazyan’s power against Muniz’s submission guillotine in a true test of skill versus strength.
Odds Breakdown & Betting History
Current Betting Odds
- Edmen Shahbazyan (Favorite)
- FanDuel: –260
- BetRivers: –250
- BetOnline.ag: –240
- Andre Muniz (Underdog)
- BetOnline.ag: +205
- FanDuel: +196
- BetRivers: +195
Edmen Shahbazyan enters as a clear favorite across the board, with FanDuel’s –260 line representing the softest payout for bettors backing him. Andre Muniz, meanwhile, sits firmly in underdog territory, with BetOnline.ag’s +205 offering the most attractive odds if you believe the submission specialist can pull off the upset.
Best Sportsbook Picks
- For favorite action, FanDuel’s –260 offers the highest return relative to other major books.
- For underdog value, BetOnline.ag’s +205 stands out and gives bettors the largest upside on Muniz.
Line Movement & Historical Swings
- Opening Lines (Sept. 16, 2025)
- Shahbazyan opened at –175 (BetOnline.ag)
- Muniz opened at +150 (BetOnline.ag)
- Current Lines (Sept. 22, 2025)
- Shahbazyan has shortened to –240, a swing of 65 points toward the favorite.
- Muniz has drifted to +205, a swing of 55 points against the dog.
These shifts suggest heavy money flowing on Shahbazyan since the lines opened. Early sharp action on Edmen knocked him from a moderate favorite to a significant one, while public and professional bettors have been cooling on Muniz, pushing his line out to +205.
Payout Scenarios & Implied Chances
If you had $1,000 to wager, here’s what you’d get back, including your stake:
-
Betting $1,000 on Shahbazyan at –260 (FanDuel)
• Total Payout: ~$1,385
• Profit: ~$385 -
Betting $1,000 on Muniz at +205 (BetOnline.ag)
• Total Payout: ~$3,050
• Profit: ~$2,050
Implied Probabilities
- Edmen Shahbazyan: ~71% chance to win
- Andre Muniz: ~33% chance to win
These probabilities reflect the market’s consensus based on the current moneylines. Shahbazyan’s heavy favorite status corresponds to a high likelihood of victory, whereas Muniz must defy significant odds to score an upset.
Key Takeaways
- Line Momentum: Sharp bettors have heavily backed Shahbazyan, driving his odds from –175 to as low as –260 in just under a week.
- Value Opportunity: Muniz’s +205 at BetOnline.ag represents the most substantial underdog payout—ideal for bettors who trust his grappling game can prevail.
- Risk vs. Reward: A $1,000 wager on Shahbazyan yields a modest profit, reflecting his status as the public choice. Conversely, Muniz’s bigger odds translate to a higher potential return but a lower implied chance of winning.
In this matchup, understanding the line history and where the smart money is going can be the difference between a solid payout and a massive windfall. Choose wisely based on your confidence in each fighter’s path to victory.
AI Pick: Edmen Shahbazyan
Click the buttons below to read more about why the AI picked Edmen Shahbazyan, or see all the AI picks for Ankalaev vs Pereira 2. Our AI is trained on our fight data and picks winners for every fight. You can track all the picks, accuracy, and profit for free on our ai-picks page.