Mark gets the decision from the takedowns and the ground and pound on Maia.

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

Mark ‘The Filipino Wrecking Machine’ Muñoz won a unanimous decision victory against Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion Demian Maia in UFC 131, Vancouver, Canada on June 12^th, 2011 Manila Time. The victory of the Fil-Am was a wonderful Independence Day gift for the Filipinos. It didn’t come easy as Maia staggered Muñoz early in the 1^st round with a hard left hook. Maia improved his stand up and dirty boxing by working with Luis Doria a former Brazilian National boxing coach. Doria also happens to be the coach of Junior Dos Santos who is in the main event with Shane Carwin.

Mark gets the decision from the takedowns and the ground and pound on Maia.

The second round was where Muñoz not only recovered but dominated the fight. Mark landed a left hook that sent Maia ducking for cover. It was easier to take him down after that, Muñoz went on his powerful ground pound that weakened his opponent further. The Filipino Wrecking Machine sealed the deal with two more takedowns in the third round.

Mark’s vicious ground and pound on Maia

During his interview with Joe Rogan, Muñoz dedicated the win to former boxing champ Genaro Hernandez who passed away recently. Mark said, “He caught me with a good punch in the first round and I was doing the stinky leg. His cage work surprised me. I didn’t expect him to be this strong. I told him it’s a true honor to fight him in the cage.” Joe Rogan added “Genaro was a good guy and worked for the UFC at one point in time.”

Maia was a tough match up for Mark. Demian was the only one to take Anderson Silva to five rounds.

The Jiu jitsu training from Ryron Gracie and Fabricio Verdum helped him defend against a choke attempt by Maia in the third. The win over Maia is his third straight win, since CB Dalloway and Kendall Grove. During the Grove fight Mark appreciated the support of the many OFWs who came out in droves in Abu Dhabito support and cheer him on.

After suffering a left hook Maia tries to get away

Muñoz is not the only fighter with Pinoy blood in the UFC,BrandonThe truth Vera was touted as one of the hot names until his consecutive losses. Philippe Nover was a certified nurse in ‘til he became interested in Mixed Martial Arts and qualified for the Ultimate Fighter Season 8.

Mark grounds and pounds Kendall Grove in Abu Dhabi.

Mark Muñoz was a division one NCAA wrestling champion who recently opened his own MMA training facility the Reign training Center inLake Forest,California. The list of UFC fighters who have come for his training includes current UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva, Antonio & Rogerio Noguera , Fabricio Verdum, Uriah Faber and Shogun Rua. UFC sportscaster Mike Goldberg said, “Jake Ellenberger , Krystof Soszynski have also become training partners. He’s that good of a wrestler. They’ve all come to learn because he’s that good of a coach. He’s a pretty darn good fighter as well.” He is married and moved his family of four because he wanted to devote his time to putting up the Reign training Center.

Muñoz poses in the Reign training Center he put up in Lake Forest, California.

Muñoz is a loving father to his four kids.

According to the official Mark Muñoz website, “He was born February 9, 1978 on a US Military Base in Yokouska, Japan to Filipino parents Imelda Kenery of Santa Ana,Manila,Philippines and Rodolfo Munoz from Pasay City, Philippines. At the age of 2, Mark and his family relocated to theUS and settled in the city of Vallejo, California.

Mark’s love of athletics began at a very young age, his main focus being football. However, when he was a sophomore in high school, he incurred an injury that prevented him from playing the sport that he loved so dearly. So he turned to wrestling and the rest is history…”

Kenflo was booed for wearing a Boston Bruins jersey in the home of the Vancouver Canucks.

Ken Flo gets booed in spite of win

Kenny ‘KenFlo’ Florian got booed from his walk out and through out his post interview even after winning against upstart Diego Nunes. Kenflo bravely wore his Boston Bruins jersey before the fight which the crowd did not appreciate. Just the previous night in the same venue the Rogers arena, the Vancouver Canucks won game 5 of a hotly contested Stanley Cup series against the Boston Bruins.

Ed Jovanoski a former Canuck was cheered by the Vancouver crowd.

The superior ground game and takedowns by Florian negated the punching power of  Nunes. Even when Nunes was on top Florian was able to land sharp elbows that cut his opponent. Although near the end of the third round Nunes was able to stagger KenFLo with a strong right hook, it wasn’t enough to overcome the lead. It was the first time Florian had fought at 145 lbs in the Featherweight division of the UFC. He originally fought at 185 lbs and is the first UFC fighter to compete in 4 divisions.

Kenflo's takedowns were the deciding factor in his unanimous decision win against Nunes

Kenflo has moved his training camp, “Montreal is awesome change for my career I have a tremendous amount of sparring partners all competing at very high level.” One of them happens to be Welterweight champGeorge St.Pierre“George is no help to make weight. He eats whatever he wants. He’s not afraid to order desert. I have to be disciplined while I’m hanging out with the guys here.” Kenny believes he’s the best match up for featherweight champ Jose Aldo.

GSP has recovered from the eye injury he sustained in the fight against Jake Shields. “My medical condition is called Hyphema. My vision is still blurry and my eye sensitive but the blood in my eye has now been absorbed... My retina is fine as well and my vision will come back to 100%!!! Can't be more happy!!” from official GSP facebook site from May 6, 2011.