Ivan Menjivar (21-8, 0-1 UFC) meets Charlie Valencia (12-6) in a bantamweight bout at UFC 129. The UFC will broadcast this preliminary fight on Facebook. For more info on how to see this bout read: How to Watch ‘UFC 129: St. Pierre vs Shields’ Live Online and On Television
How do these guys stack up?
Menjivar: 28 years old | 5’6″ | reach unknown
Valencia: 36 years old | 5’3″ | 64″ reach
What have these guys done lately?
Menjivar: L – Brad Pickett (UD), W – Aaron Miller (SUB), L – Bart Palaszewski (SD)
Valencia: L – Miguel Torres (SUB), W – Akitoshi Tamura (SD), W – Coty Wheeler (UD)
How did these guys get here?
Ivan Menjivar lost by TKO to Georges St. Pierre in St. Pierre’s MMA debut in January of 2002. He would go on to fight (and lose to) such MMA names as Vitor Ribeiro, Matt Serra, Urijah Faber, and Caol Uno. He left the sport following a split decision loss to Bart Palaszewski, but returned in June of 2010.
Charlie Valencia won his first seven fights in regional bouts in California. He made his WEC debut in March of 2007, knocking out Antonio Banuelos in the first round. He went 5-4 in the WEC, losing his last bout to Miguel Torres by rear naked choke.
Why should you care?
Old school fans may get a kick out of seeing Menjivar make his return to the Octagon.