In 2005 (during his last victory), he confronts a former champion: Julio Zárate . Mahyar went into a fight against an opponent who truly came to win. Against all odds, the lanky Mexican chooses to attack from the start, and surprised the defending champion several times, especially with very good uppercuts to the body and face. In the 4th round, after a chain of left and right hooks Monshipour gets hit in the chin and collapses to the mat. He continues the battle and manages to reach the end of the round. Mid fight, the situation gets difficult for the Poitevin who is three points behind. But due to counting his physical and fabulous will Monshipour makes a comeback. From the seventh round, the juggernaut starts suffocating Zárate who uses other resources including his head to try to slow the advance of Monshipour. Zárate will receive two warnings (7th and 8th rounds) before giving up the appeal in the 9th round.