Filipino Wrecking Machine’s MMA last hurrah

Mark Munoz’s last mixed martial arts fight is in Manila.

DALY CITY, California — Mark Munoz, currently the only Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter of note, will be fighting his last fight on May 16, in the Philippines, at the SM Mall Arena in Pasay City.

DALY CITY, California — Mark Munoz, currently the only Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter of note, will be fighting his last fight on May 16, in the Philippines, at the SM Mall Arena in Pasay City.

He will face middleweight Luke Barnat from England, who brings with him an  8-win-2-losses record versus Munoz’s 14-6. Munoz will be relying on his wrestling and takedown skills to offset his height and reach disadvantage (Barnat is 6’6”).

The event billed as UFC Fight Night 66 will feature Filipino Americans Nolan Ticman and Phililipe Nover and, of course, Munoz.

Also showcasing their MMA talents are two homegrown Filipino fighters—Mark Eddiva and Roldan Sancha.

The fight will be Munoz’s swan song. At age 37 and after seven years in the octagon, he intends to retire after the bout and devote his time to developing new MMA fighters.

Munoz was born in Japan, where his father was stationed when he was with the US Navy.  Munoz’s MMA path got started with the bullying he suffered as a young boy. Deciding to defend himself and stop the bullying, he took up wrestling and became a member of his school’s varsity wrestling team.

He turned to coaching wrestling after an accident in which he fell into a ditch. The accident pretty much ended his career as a wrestler. As a wrestling coach he met Urijah Faber, who encouraged him to get into MMA. The rest, as they say, is history and, in a happy confluence of events, that same Urijah Faber will be featured in that night’s main event.

Munoz will climb into the octagon one final time in the Philippines, the country of his roots. Munoz has three daughters, all still in school, and a son who is a nationally ranked wrestler.

Munoz considers his becoming Christian one of the defining events of his life. He has few things that he would change in his life, foremost of which is that he has not known how it feels to wear an MMA championship belt. Other than that, he says he considers himself a very lucky man.

How would Mark Munoz, “The Filipino Wrecking Machine,” MMA fighter like to be remembered?

“As fierce competitor in the octagon. And outside the octagon, as a kind and compassionate man, knowledgeable and willing to pass on his knowledge,” he said.

What did he intend to do in retirement?

“There is so much talent that’s yet to be tapped,” he said, “and I want to continue giving back to a sport that’s given me so much. Whether through UFC or on my own, I will continue to work with other fighters and help improve their craft in the US and in Asia—especially the Philippines. And if the opportunity presents itself to work with fighters in Asia, I’d love to bring my family with me. It will be a nice working vacation.”

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