Pedro Munhoz has shared the octagon with past and future champions, Hall of Famers and up-and-coming prospects, and a potential role as bantamweight gatekeeper just weeks shy of his 38th birthday doesn't bother him.

“The Young Punisher” will make his 22nd trip to the UFC cage this weekend to face Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Edmonton Separating unranked people from the elite “doesn’t bother me because that’s my job and I love it.” to do that.”

“I know I haven't competed in my last five fights against Sean O'Malley, one win and three losses, but that's the UFC,” Munhoz said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “The UFC is not an organization where an athlete… I wouldn't say (protect), but some athletes and even their managers try to promote and find the right fights and that has never happened with me.” I was always in the shark tank. The UFC likes my performance. I still feel the fire to continue competing and I think about that every day, just like I felt in my first fight.”

Munhoz entered the UFC in 2014 and faced top contender Raphael Assuncao in his debut. Over the course of his career, he has beaten the likes of Cody Garbrandt, Rob Font, Bryan Caraway and Jimmie Rivera, and six of his nine UFC losses came against men who have held or fought for three-division UFC titles. Munhoz signed a new UFC contract following his loss to Marlon Vera and is looking to bounce back from his recent decision loss to Kyler Phillips.

“The goal is always to finish the fight, especially the way I fight, but knowing how experienced I am, I am always ready for a three-round war,” Munhoz said. “I fought Chris Gutierrez when he was on an eight-fight (undefeated) streak, a knockout against Frankie Edgar, and I beat him. The fact that my opponent plays a role doesn't bother me because I have the experience. I know I’m in the final stages of my career, but I’ve never been the type to pick fights.”

However, Munhoz admitted he would much rather compete against big-name opponents than athletes like Zahabi, who would represent higher risk with little reward.

“I wanted to fight Dominick (Cruz) again,” Munhoz said. “I almost knocked him out twice in the first round – he said himself he didn't remember the fight for days – so I think we could do this rematch. Or even Henry Cejudo, a veteran of the UFC, but the UFC offered me this fight (against Zahabi). I've been training in the gym every day and I love showing that I can compete at the highest level against newcomers or legends, so I have no problem competing against anyone. I’m ready.”