Muñoz to retire after UFC Fight Night

Ultimate Fighting Championship stars Frankie Edgar and Uriah Faber recently promoted the UFC Fight Night card set at Mall of Asia Arena but it was the announcement of Filipino-American Mark Muñoz that turned out to be the biggest surprise.

Minutes after UFC Asia executive vice president Ken Berger announced Muñoz’s inclusion in the stacked fight card, the “Filipino Wrecking Machine” revealed that his homecoming fight against Luke “the Bigslow” Barnatt on May 16 will also be his last on the octagon.

“I’ve waited for this (fighting in Manila) for so long and it’s a dream come true,” said the 37-year-old Muñoz  who has lost his last three fights. “This fight is very important for me. My career had its ups and downs, its like a storm that hit me and like all Filipinos, I want to show the resiliency that we’re known for.”

Munoz, whose parents hail from Pasay City and Manila, said he is stepping back from the fight game to spend more time with his family and coaching younger fighters, even as he vowed to promote MMA in the country.

Ex-UFC champions Edgar and Faber, who will fight at 145 pounds, will headline the fight card that will also include Filipinos Phillippe Nover, Roldan Sancha-an and Mark Eddiva.

Tickets are on sale at SM Tickets with prices ranging from P13,250 (VIP) to P1,590 (general admission).