FILE–Mark Munoz during UFC media availability. Photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —Former UFC fighter Mark Muñoz was reportedly put on administrative leave as a wrestling coach in a Southern California high school after letting two students fight each other with boxing gloves on.
TMZ reported that the Filipino-American fighter let his two students settle disputes through boxing. The report stated that he wasn’t aware of the argument and thought the boxing match was more in “jovial” spirits than “violent.”
A parent was outraged by the incident and reported Muñoz to the Fairmont Private Schools’ administration.
In a statement sent to MMA Junkie, 44-year-old Muñoz said that he desired to be a good influence on his students and teach them to be good wrestlers.
“With every ounce of who I am, I desire to be a positive influence on kids, to teach kids to be the very best wrestlers, to speak loudly against bullying, and to honor my Lord Jesus Christ,” Munoz wrote to MMA Junkie reporter Danny Segura. “There are thousands of wrestlers who I have coached that would affirm those truths from first-hand experience. Under no circumstance would I encourage kids to settle a dispute through fighting.”
MMA Junkie added that an official at Fairmont School said that Muñoz was placed on administrative leave until the end of the school year and won’t return to his job, where he was hired in September 2020.
Muñoz retired from the UFC in 2015 after beating Luke Barnatt via unanimous decision in the Fight Night 66 at Mall of Asia Arena.