Mark Muñoz

Mark Kenery Muñoz (born February 9, 1978) is a Filipino-American former professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor from 2007 until 2015, Munoz also formerly competed for the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC). Throughout his career, Munoz was credited as one of "the nicest guys in MMA" even being officially ranked as No.1 during an Episode of "UFC Tonight" due to his contributions to both the sport of MMA, and his local community through activities such as starting up and running his own gym, and heading his own "anti-bullying" campaign.

Background

Mark Kenery Muñoz was born on United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka, a United States Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan, to Filipino parents. At the age of two, Muñoz and his family relocated to Vallejo, California. Muñoz began wrestling at the age of 13 and also played football, but had to give up the latter sport when he was a sophomore in high school due to an injury. Because of his size and raw talent, Muñoz began wrestling with the varsity team at Vallejo High School. At Vallejo, Muñoz went on to be a two-time CIF state champion, an Asics First Team All-American, a 1995 national high school champion, and the 1996 NHSCA national high school champion. Muñoz was also on the honor roll for all four years and a member of the National Honors Society. That same year, Muñoz won a silver medal for the USA Junior national team and finished fifth in his weight class at the FILA Junior World Championships.

Muñoz went on to compete at Oklahoma State University, where he compiled 121 wins overall, was a two-time All-American, and won an NCAA National Championship in 2001 as a senior. Muñoz was also a three-year member of the FILA Junior World Wrestling Team, earning the silver medal in 1998. Muñoz received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Oklahoma State University, and was also a three-time member of the NWCA All-Academic Team. After finishing college, Muñoz came back to be an assistant coach at Oklahoma State for two years, leading the team to an NCAA National Championship in 2003. Muñoz then began coaching at UC Davis, before transitioning into a career in mixed martial arts.

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 KO (punches) at 4:15 of the first round.

Muñoz was slated to fight Steve Steinbeiss at 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 at the WEC's year-end event, WEC 37 via TKO (punches).

Ultimate Fighting Championship Muñoz was one of the chosen few to be relocated from the WEC to the UFC, a sister promotion —which was also owned and produced by Zuffa—along with WEC 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 via knockout (head kick) from Matt Hamill during the first round.

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) over fellow wrestler Nick Catone.

On January 2, 2010, at UFC 108, Muñoz faced and defeated MMA veteran Ryan Jensen via first round submission due to strikes at the 2:30 mark of the first round, showcasing 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 via split decision on August 1, 2010, at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko. In this fight, Muñoz was unable to utilize his infamous ground and pound due to Okami's ability to defend his takedowns.

Muñoz won a unanimous decision over Aaron Simpson on November 20, 2010, at UFC 123.

Muñoz defeated TUF 7 finalist CB 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 via unanimous decision on June 11, 2011, at UFC 131.

Muñoz defeated Chris Leben, in the first 5-round non-title fight in UFC history, on November 5, 2011, by corner stoppage at UFC 138. The stoppage was due to the ground and pound of Muñoz that opened a cut over Leben's eye, rendering him unable to see and continue the fight.

Muñoz was set to fight Chael Sonnen on January 28, 2012, at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis. However, Muñoz pulled out of his fight with Sonnen on January 17, 2012, due to an injury during training and was replaced by Michael Bisping, who was pulled from a scheduled fight with Demian Maia on the same card.

Returning to action, Muñoz instead faced Chris Weidman on July 11, 2012, in the main event at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. He broke his foot during the course of the fight and was forced out of competition for a year. During his time on the sidelines, Muñoz gained a significant amount of weight.

Muñoz made his return from injury at UFC 162, where he defeated Tim Boetsch via unanimous decision.

Muñoz was expected to face Michael Bisping on October 26, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 30. However, Bisping pulled out of the bout with an eye injury and was replaced by Lyoto Machida. Munoz lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Muñoz faced Gegard Mousasi at UFC Fight Night: Munoz vs. Mousasi on May 31, 2014 He lost via rear-naked choke submission.

On June 12, 2014 Muñoz's new four-fight contract with UFC was announced.

Muñoz was very briefly scheduled to face Caio Magalhães on February 28, 2015, at UFC 184. However, shortly after the bout was announced by the UFC, Magalhães indicated that he would not be able to compete at the event due to a lingering infection after recent dental surgery, which would require additional surgery. Muñoz stayed on the card and eventually faced returning UFC veteran Roan Carneiro. He lost the fight via technical submission in the first round.

Muñoz faced Luke Barnatt on May 16, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 66. Muñoz has indicated that win or lose, he expected this fight to be his last. Munoz dominated the fight in the stand-up and ground, winning a unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27). Keeping his promise, an emotional Munoz took off his gloves after the fight and placed them in the center of the octagon.

Personal life Muñoz resides Mission Viejo, California with his wife and four children. He speaks fluent English and Tagalog.

Muñoz ran his own gym, Reign Training Center, in Lake Forest but in the end of April 2015, he sold it to an investor to dedicate more personal time to his children and as a wrestling coach. He was placed on administrative leave from his job as a high school wrestling coach at Fairmont Private Schools in Anaheim, California, in May 2022 amid allegations he encouraged students to settle their disputes with playground boxing matches. Muñoz issued a statement denying the allegations.

Acting career Muñoz starred in the 2020 film Lumpia with a Vengeance, in which he is also one of the co-producers.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) UFC.com Awards 2010: Ranked #8 Fight of the Year 2011: Ranked #8 Fighter of the Year

Amateur wrestling FILA Wrestling World Championships FILA World Championships Junior Freestyle 178.5 1b - 5th place (1996) FILA World Championships Junior Freestyle 182.5 1b - 2nd place (1998) USA FILA Junior World Freestyle Championships USA FILA Junior World Freestyle Championship 182.5 1b - Winner (1998)

Collegiate wrestling National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division I All-American (2000, 2001) NCAA Division I 197 1b - 3rd place out of Oklahoma State University (2000) NCAA Division I 197 1b - Champion out of Oklahoma State University (2001)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Luke Barnatt Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber

Pasay, Philippines Loss

Roan Carneiro Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 184

Los Angeles, California, United States Loss

Gegard Mousasi Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Muñoz vs. Mousasi

Berlin, Germany Loss

Lyoto Machida KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Muñoz

Manchester, England Win

Tim Boetsch Decision (unanimous) UFC 162

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Chris Weidman KO (elbow and punches) UFC on Fuel TV: Muñoz vs. Weidman

San Jose, California, United States Win

Chris Leben TKO (corner stoppage) UFC 138

Birmingham, England Win

Demian Maia Decision (unanimous) UFC 131

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

C. B. Dollaway KO (punches) UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win

Aaron Simpson Decision (unanimous) UFC 123

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States Loss

Yushin Okami Decision (split) UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko

San Diego, California, United States Win

Kendall Grove TKO (punches) UFC 112

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Ryan Jensen TKO (submission to punches) UFC 108

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Nick Catone Decision (split) UFC 102

Portland, Oregon, United States Loss

Matt Hamill KO (head kick) UFC 96

Columbus, Ohio, United States Win

Ricardo Barros TKO (punches) WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chuck Grigsby KO (punches) WEC 34: Faber vs. Pulver

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Tony Rubalcava Decision (unanimous) PFC 4: Project Complete

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Mike Pierce Decision (unanimous) Gladiator Challenge 69: Bad Intentions

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Austin Achorn TKO (punches) PFC 3: Step Up

Lemoore, California, United States NCAA record

Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event

Win 12-5

Win 11-5

Win 10-5

Win 9-5

Win 8-5

Win 7-5

Loss 6-5

Win 6-4

Win 5-4

Loss 4-4

Win 4-3

Win 3-3

Loss 2-3

Win 2-2

Loss 1-2

Loss 1-1

Win 1-0

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1998 The Boy Who Saved Christmas Member of Elf Ensemble 2012 Here Comes the Boom Himself 2012–2013 The Roots of Fight Himself 2020 Lumpia with a Vengeance Silent Avenger / Kuya