Mark Muñoz raises his arms in victory after Chris Leben’s corner throws in the towel at the end of the 2nd round during UFC 138 at the LG center in Birmingham, England last Nov. 6, 2011.

Written by

Jude Bautista

Apl D’Ap’s distinctive voice blared in the large LG Center in Birmingham, England. Mark Muñoz’ choice of the Black Eyed Peas as a walkout song “Bebot” said it all, “Hoy pare, pakinggan n’yo ako, heto na ang tunay na Pilipino, Galing sa baryo Sapang Bato… Ikaw ay Filipino! Filipino!” (Hey friend listen, here comes the true Filipino from the town of Sapang Bato…You are a Filipino!)

The last time a compatriot faced a Brit in a major high profile fight it barely lasted two rounds. Manny Pacquiao blasted Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton in a most devastating fashion. So the reception to Mark “Filipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz was mixed with boos and applause in the arena last November 5, 2011. Now he was about to fight a Yank with an even scarier reputation.

His opponent’s walk out music was also telling, “Mad World” remade by Gary Jules originally by UK duo Tears for Fears. Chris “The Crippler” Leben, always had the image of a bad boy and a trash talker so much so that his antics have overshadowed an evolving game. He first shot to fame as the hot head in the very first Ultimate Fighter series, with colored hair and black nail polish and elaborate tattoos. His devastating left hook has knocked out countless other fighters. As far as defense goes, Leben also possesses ‘the toughest granite chin’ according to Joe Rogan.

Dana White goes between Leben and Muñoz during weigh-ins.

When I first heard about the fight I was worried for Muñoz, even if I was aware of his superior wrestling skills and conditioning. It was historical as the first to be scheduled to five rounds without being a title bout. Which was also a little bit ironic since everyone knew it wouldn’t go the distance. Both of them are extremely aggressive and have one punch KO power so it was certain, someone would go down soon.

That’s the Axe Murderer that Leben KO’d in 27 seconds.

The excitement was similar with Leben’s fight against Wanderlei “Axe Murderer” Silva which was still fresh in my mind. Leben clashed in the middle of the octagon with one of the most legendary and recklessly aggressive strikers in MMA. It only took 27 seconds for Wanderlei to fall face down on the mat after both men threw a mad flurry of punches at each other.

Axe Murderer Wanderlei Silva faces Kung Le in UFC on Fox November 13 (Manila time) coinciding with the Pacquiao Marquez III fight. Cain Velasquez will defend his Heavyweight belt against Junior Dos Santos in the main event.

Wanderlei has a scheduled fight next week against another powerful striker: Kung Le on November 13 (Manila time) coinciding with the Pacquiao Marquez III fight. Cain Velasquez will defend his Heavyweight belt against Junior Dos Santos in the main event. I plan to watch the Pacquiao fight live via satellite while catching the UFC replay on Balls or Studio 23. Muñoz also had his own spectacular wins but nothing as devastating as Leben destroying the Axe Muderer. Leben has definitely earned his moniker as The Crippler.

Muñoz drops down his vicious ground and pound on Leben during UFC 138 at the LG center in Birmingham, England last Nov. 6, 2011.

The first round between Muñoz and Leben was an incredible back and forth battle. Mark gets an early takedown and Leben landing elbows and punches from below. Mark lands body punches and two solid right hands before Chris gets back up. Leben even catches a knee and is able to body slam Muñoz to the ground who is able to get back up himself. The difference between the two is the amount of control Muñoz has while on top landing power shots. On the other hand Leben while also gets back up, he’s visibly weaker, wilting under the better strength and conditioning of the All American Wrestler.

Muñoz drops down his vicious ground and pound on Leben during UFC 138 at the LG center in Birmingham, England last Nov. 6, 2011.

Leben is cut and bloodied after Muñoz’ powerful right hand shots.

By the second round, Mark scores two more takedowns but this time landing right hands that swells the left eye of Leben and a deep cut near the left eyebrow. It results in a bloody mess that affects his vision. Referee Mark Goddard stops the fight to check on the eye but lets it continue after asking him if he could still see. Leben tries to go for front chokes during clinches and takedown attempts but his arms are too gassed out and exhausted to pull them off.

Mark Muñoz raises his arms in victory after Chris Leben’s corner throws in the towel at the end of the 2nd round during UFC 138 at the LG center in Birmingham, England last Nov. 6, 2011.

At the end of the round, in Leben’s corner he admits to his trainer that he could no longer see through his left eye and they throw in the towel. Leben in his post fight interview said, “Munoz was a national wrestling champion. He’s as good as they come on the ground. I definitely need to evaluate my ground game after that performance. He did a fantastic job on the ground. I wanted to keep it on my feet. He outwrestled me tonight, it takes a man to know when they’re beat ad he beat me tonight, hats off to Munoz.”

Leben is more mature and respectful as opposed to his wild TUF1 days. He congratulates Mark in the locker.

Mark was able to give a respectful post interview with Joe Rogan, “First off I’d like to thank Jesus Christ my Lord and savior; I’d like to thank my training partners Trace and Keith MMA. Chris Leben is a tough, tough competitor. I knew that I had to look out for his left hand and he came with it. I had to get rid of my brawling instincts and stick to my wrestling skills. I had to get my angles, utilize my wrestling, hit my single leg, utilize my ground and pound and that’s what I did.”

And unlike the recent controversial challenge by Chael Sonnen, Mark was more tactful when asked about his next fight, “You know I paid my dues in this weight class and I think I deserve a title shot. Anderson Silva is by far the best pound for pound fighter. I give him all the respect and honor but I think I deserve a title shot right now. I consider him a friend but right now I’d love to get a title shot.”

Mike Goldberg had a very apt comparison with one of the greats in the sport, “I almost feel like they passed a baton both Oklahoma State Cowboys. The baton has been passed from Randy Couture to Mark Muñoz as the classiest man in the game today. He does everything right, he respects everyone. He believes it’s a competition. To me, it’s like talking to Randy Couture many years ago and when I talked about that with Mark he considers it as one of the greatest compliments ever.”

Mark Muñoz raises his arms in victory after Chris Leben’s corner throws in the towel at the end of the 2nd round during UFC 138 at the LG center in Birmingham, England last Nov. 6, 2011.

Joe Rogan agreed saying, “He’s a great human being on top of being a great fighter. If you watch the Countdown show Randy Couture was the guy who got him into MMA in the first place. He’s an amazing wrestler who has developed into an amazing mixed martial arts fighter. Tonight was the pinnacle of what so far has been his career. Muñoz is knocking on the door for a title shot right now.”