Muñoz eyes grand exit, battles English fighter

Filipino-American fighter Mark Muñoz promises to make a grand exit from mixed martial arts as he squares off with Luke Barnatt of England tonight in a middleweight bout serving as one of the attractions of a historic UFC Fight Night at Mall of Asia Arena.

It will mark the first time that the biggest MMA promotion is staging a card in the country and the battle-tested Muñoz vows to come out ferocious in his swan song before his countrymen.

“I’ve been waiting for this my whole career,” said Muñoz, referring to fighting in the Philippines.

The 6-foot Muñoz, who has a 13-6 record, gives up at least six inches in height to Barnatt who has promised to knock the Filipino out in the first round.

“He will see a violent, not desperate, Mark Muñoz,” the Filipino said. “I know he will come at me from the start. But I feel comfortable with his size and reach and I’m ready to knock him out.”

Top featherweights Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar collide in a five-round non title bout in the main event of the evening.