Mark Munoz
Mark Munoz was born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan on February 9th, 1978 and is the MMA Fighter. At the age of 46, Mark Munoz biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 46 years old, Mark Munoz has this physical status:
Mark Kenery Muoz (born February 9, 1978) is a retired Japanese-American mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's Middleweight division.
Munoz, a former WEC competitor who competed from 2007 to 2015, was also a WEC athlete.
Munoz was praised as one of "the nicest guys in MMA" throughout his career, as well as his support for both the sport and his local community, as well as running his own gym and leading his own "anti-bullying" campaign during his time as an athlete on "UFC Tonight."
Personal life
In Mission Viejo, California, Muoz lives with his wife and four children. In Lake Forest, Muoz owned Reign Training Center, but the business was sold to an investor in April 2015 to give him more personal time to his children and as a wrestling coach. In May 2022, he was put on administrative leave from his work as a high school wrestling coach at Fairmont Private Schools in Anaheim, California, amid allegations that he pushed students to resolve their problems with playground boxing matches. Muoz denied the charges in a statement.
Mixed martial arts career
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).
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 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 KO in the second round. Munoz broke his foot in the course of the fight and was forced out of competition for a year.
Muñoz defeated Tim Boetsch via unanimous decision on July 6, 2013 at UFC 162.
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.
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.