Mark Muñoz (born February 9, 1978) is an American mixed martial artist of Filipino descent currently fighting in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Muñoz is known for his wrestling ability and his relentless ground-and-pound. As of October 2011, Muñoz is ranked as the #5 middleweight fighter in the world by Sherdog.
Early life
Muñoz was born on a US Military Base in Yokosuka, Japan to Filipino parents from Manila, Philippines. At the age of 2, Muñoz and his family relocated and settled in the former US Navy town of Vallejo, California.
High school and Collegiate wrestling
In high school, Muñoz was a two-time California State Wrestling Champion at 189 pounds for Vallejo High School, Asics First Team All American and the 1996 NHSCA National High School Champion.
As a collegian at Oklahoma State University, Muñoz captured two Big 12 titles and earned back-to-back All-America honors at 197 pounds, including his NCAA title as a senior in 2001. He became the first Filipino American at the Division I Level to win a National Championship. He also made the NWCA All-Academic Team for three years and the Big 12 All-Academic squad for four. Additionally, Muñoz was a three-year member of the FILA Junior World Wrestling Team, earning the silver medal in 1998.
Muñoz received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Health Science from Oklahoma State University.
Muñoz continues to give back to the wrestling community by offering a 5 to 10 day wrestling camp for high school athletes in Ocean Side, California. He brings in wrestlers from Cal Poly, Fullerton, and Oregon to help the kids. Also Muñoz brings in Coach Calivitta and many other great clinicians like Uriah Faber, Joe Heskett, and even the wrestling great and his coach John Smith.
Mixed martial arts career
World Extreme Cagefighting
Muñoz made his WEC debut at WEC 34 on June 1, 2008 in the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. Muñoz defeated Chuck Grigsby via TKO (punches) at 4:15 of the first round.
Muñoz was slated to fight Steve Steinbeiss in WEC 36 on November 5, 2008, but due to an undisclosed reason he was replaced by TUF alum Alex Schoenauer.
Muñoz defeated Ricardo Barros on December 3, 2008 for WEC's year-end event, WEC 37 via TKO (punches).
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Muñoz was one of the chosen few to be relocated to WEC's sister promotion—which is also owned and produced by Zuffa—along with light heavyweight champion Steve Cantwell, light heavyweight contenders Brian Stann and Steve Steinbeiss and middleweight contenders Chael Sonnen and Nissen Osterneck.
On March 7, 2009, Muñoz made his UFC debut at UFC 96. Muñoz suffered the first loss of his career and was rendered unconscious by a brutal head kick from UFC veteran Matt Hamill during the first round. Following the stoppage, Muñoz remained down on the mat for several minutes, eventually leaving the cage wearing a neck brace.
On August 29, 2009 at UFC 102, Muñoz bounced back from his first defeat and answered the critics by winning a close split decision (28–29, 30–27 and 29–28) to UFC up and comer Nick Catone.
On January 2, 2010 at UFC 108, Muñoz faced and defeated MMA veteran Ryan Jensen via submission (punches) at the 2:30 mark of the first round. He showcased some vicious ground and pound.
Muñoz defeated The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner Kendall Grove on April 10, 2010 at UFC 112, by referee stoppage in the 2nd round, also winning the Fight of the Night honors.
Muñoz was defeated by Yushin Okami on August 1, 2010 at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko where he lost by split decision. In this fight, Muñoz was unable to utilize his infamous ground and pound due to Okami's ability to defend his takedowns.
Muñoz defeated Aaron Simpson on November 20, 2010 at UFC 123 by unanimous decision.
Muñoz defeated TUF 7 finalist C.B. Dollaway at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann on March 3, 2011 via first round KO. Muñoz landed a right hand that floored Dollaway, where he then followed up with some ground and pound which secured him the victory.
Muñoz defeated Demian Maia on June 11, 2011 by unanimous decision at UFC 131..
Muñoz is expected to face Chris Leben on November 5, 2011 at UFC 138.
All about: UFC 138, Chris Leben
Muñoz is known for his wrestling ability and his relentless ground-and-pound. As of October 2011, Muñoz is ranked as the #5 middleweight fighter in the world by Sherdog.
Early life
Muñoz was born on a US Military Base in Yokosuka, Japan to Filipino parents from Manila, Philippines. At the age of 2, Muñoz and his family relocated and settled in the former US Navy town of Vallejo, California.
High school and Collegiate wrestling
In high school, Muñoz was a two-time California State Wrestling Champion at 189 pounds for Vallejo High School, Asics First Team All American and the 1996 NHSCA National High School Champion.
As a collegian at Oklahoma State University, Muñoz captured two Big 12 titles and earned back-to-back All-America honors at 197 pounds, including his NCAA title as a senior in 2001. He became the first Filipino American at the Division I Level to win a National Championship. He also made the NWCA All-Academic Team for three years and the Big 12 All-Academic squad for four. Additionally, Muñoz was a three-year member of the FILA Junior World Wrestling Team, earning the silver medal in 1998.
Muñoz received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Health Science from Oklahoma State University.
Muñoz continues to give back to the wrestling community by offering a 5 to 10 day wrestling camp for high school athletes in Ocean Side, California. He brings in wrestlers from Cal Poly, Fullerton, and Oregon to help the kids. Also Muñoz brings in Coach Calivitta and many other great clinicians like Uriah Faber, Joe Heskett, and even the wrestling great and his coach John Smith.
Mixed martial arts career
World Extreme Cagefighting
Muñoz made his WEC debut at WEC 34 on June 1, 2008 in the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. Muñoz defeated Chuck Grigsby via TKO (punches) at 4:15 of the first round.
Muñoz was slated to fight Steve Steinbeiss in WEC 36 on November 5, 2008, but due to an undisclosed reason he was replaced by TUF alum Alex Schoenauer.
Muñoz defeated Ricardo Barros on December 3, 2008 for WEC's year-end event, WEC 37 via TKO (punches).
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Muñoz was one of the chosen few to be relocated to WEC's sister promotion—which is also owned and produced by Zuffa—along with light heavyweight champion Steve Cantwell, light heavyweight contenders Brian Stann and Steve Steinbeiss and middleweight contenders Chael Sonnen and Nissen Osterneck.
On March 7, 2009, Muñoz made his UFC debut at UFC 96. Muñoz suffered the first loss of his career and was rendered unconscious by a brutal head kick from UFC veteran Matt Hamill during the first round. Following the stoppage, Muñoz remained down on the mat for several minutes, eventually leaving the cage wearing a neck brace.
On August 29, 2009 at UFC 102, Muñoz bounced back from his first defeat and answered the critics by winning a close split decision (28–29, 30–27 and 29–28) to UFC up and comer Nick Catone.
On January 2, 2010 at UFC 108, Muñoz faced and defeated MMA veteran Ryan Jensen via submission (punches) at the 2:30 mark of the first round. He showcased some vicious ground and pound.
Muñoz defeated The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner Kendall Grove on April 10, 2010 at UFC 112, by referee stoppage in the 2nd round, also winning the Fight of the Night honors.
Muñoz defeated Aaron Simpson on November 20, 2010 at UFC 123 by unanimous decision.
Muñoz defeated TUF 7 finalist C.B. Dollaway at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann on March 3, 2011 via first round KO. Muñoz landed a right hand that floored Dollaway, where he then followed up with some ground and pound which secured him the victory.
Muñoz defeated Demian Maia on June 11, 2011 by unanimous decision at UFC 131..
Muñoz is expected to face Chris Leben on November 5, 2011 at UFC 138.
All about: UFC 138, Chris Leben
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