Former UFC fighter Mark Munoz has released a statement about being on administrative leave.
Mark Munoz, a former UFC fighter now a wrestling coach at a Southern California high school, has been placed on administrative leave, and won’t be able to renew his contract following reports about how he let students fight each other to settle a dispute.
TMZ reported on Tuesday, Munoz, 44, is accused of allowing two students to fight each other using boxing gloves.
Statement
On Wednesday, Munoz issued a statement to MMA Junkie.
“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. 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,” Munoz wrote.
What happened
According to the report from TMZ yesterday, “two students got into an argument on the playground and then went to Munoz, who we’re told was not made aware of the tiff — to ask if they could put on boxing gloves and settle things. The 44-year-old allowed the scrap to happen, but the ex-UFC fighter believed the impromptu boxing match was more ‘jovial’ than violent. One of the boy’s parents was outraged about the scrap and went to administration over it all.”
The high school also told MMA Junkie that Munoz has been placed on administrative leave through the remainder of the year and will not be returning.
In his pro career, Munoz fought mostly under the UFC banner, where he competed 15 times. While competing in the UFC, he was considered a potential title contender.
A unanimous decision victory over Luke Barnatt at UFC Fight Night 66 in the Philippines led to Munoz’ retirement in 2015. Munoz fought a who’s who in the middleweight during his time with the UFC, including Chris Weidman, Chris Leben, Gegard Mousasi, Lyoto Machida, and Demian Maia.
