Mark Kenery Muñoz[7] (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 WEC.[8] 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
Muñoz (left) with other MMA fighters teaching service members at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, in 2018; Beneil Dariush is at center background
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 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 Wrestling Championship. 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.[9][10]
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.[18]
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 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 Chris Leben, in the first 5-round non-title fight in UFC history, on November 5, 2011, by corner stoppage at UFC 138.[21] 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.[22]
Returning to action, Muñoz instead faced Chris Weidman on July 11, 2012, in the main event at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman.[23] He lost the fight via KO in the second round. Munoz broke his foot in the course of the fight and was forced out of competition for a year.
On June 12, 2014 Muñoz's new four-fight contract with UFC was announced.[30]
Muñoz was very briefly scheduled to face Caio Magalhães on February 28, 2015, at UFC 184.[31] 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.[32] Muñoz stayed on the card and eventually faced returning UFC veteran Roan Carneiro.[33] 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.[34] 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.[35]
Personal life
Muñoz lives with his wife and his four children in Mission Viejo, California.[citation needed] 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.[3] 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.[36]
Acting career
Muñoz is acting as the main character of a 2020 film Lumpia with a Vengeance, in which he is also one of the co-producers.[37]
