Showing posts with label Mark Munoz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Munoz. Show all posts
Bisping on Munoz and possible Henderson rematch
On the Hendo Rematch : I would 100 per cent be interested in a rematch. Made a lot of mistakes in the build-up to that fight and I have grown as a fighter.
Mark Munoz on his career, injury, and coming back
His career in MMA : "I never, ever would have thought that I would be fighting for a living. I wrestled at Oklahoma State and really had no plans of pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. At the time, I was really good friends with Urijah Faber. Urijah was training MMA and kept bugging me to give the sport a chance. I never gave it a chance until one day I finally gave in. The first guy I got into the cage with was Randy Couture and I took him down a few times. Randy got up like Randy does and started taking it to me. I loved the competitive aspect of the sport. But I was a wrestler, not a striker at the time. Urijah asked me to come spar one day and I told him that I wasn't interested. Then he told me it would only be wrestling so I agreed to go. That wasn't the case at all when I arrived. The first thing I saw when we got there were guys strapping on gloves. I knew right then and there I was tricked. I looked at Urijah and he laughed. I started sparring and just fell in love with the sport.
Convincing his wife:) : "The hardest part was coming home and telling my wife that I wanted to pursue a career in fighting. At first, my wife's image of mixed martial arts was really negative as she thought it would set a bad example for others, especially our kids. t was difficult convincing her that this was what I wanted to do for a living. We already had a family started and had four kids of our own.
About Chris Leben: "It's really a shame about Chris because I really like the guy as a fighter and a person. He's a great guy. Every time I see him, I try and catch up with him, as I've gotten to know him more and more over the years. I hope he can overcome this difficult time in his life. The stuff he was taking was some serious stuff. It wasn't any type of drug but it was to improve an individual's way of living. I actually invited Chris to come and train with me, and he told me that he might have to take me up on that offer.
About his injury: "My injury was brutal, man. I had 24 bone chips removed from my shoulder that kind of developed over time from constant training and fighting. You know, I always had pain in my shoulder but I always fought through it. That's just who I am. As time progressed, my injury got worse and worse to the point where I couldn't train with it. So, we got on the phone and the UFC flew me to Las Vegas to get it checked out. They determined that I needed immediate surgery and had no idea how I went that long without getting it fixed. The injury actually really affected my previous fights even though I was still able to have my hand raised. I had problems defending against the left hook. I would actually hide behind my bicep as it was really the only thing I could do at the time. I also lost power in my punching. So, I'm hoping this surgery could be a blessing in disguise. I'm hoping that I come back better than ever and that this will help me moving forward.
On his comeback : "Well, when I originally went in the doctors thought I could possibly make a return at some point in May. However, after taking a deeper look at things they determined that I would be sidelined until at least June or maybe even into July. I don't think that my injury should hurt my position in the middleweight division. I believe that I've done everything I can to get to the point where I'm at today. I've won four consecutive fights and I was in the position to fight for the No. 1 contender's spot. If I don't get that fight when I return, I'll fight another opponent and then request a title shot. I feel that I deserve it."
On Chael Sonnen: Chael is one of my very close friends. We've been friends for a while and we wrestled and competed against one another in college. Every time I see Chael, we pick up where we last left off. He's great. You know, I don't mind fighting him because I don't believe fighting should be personal at all. It's a competition between two men. Friends will fight one another and I'm sure Chael and I will eventually have to fight.
About Silva potentially ducking Chael : You know, I'm not really sure. I don't know if he is or not because I haven't gotten the chance to talk to him in a while. I'm actually friends with both Chael and Anderson.Things got blown out of proportion not too long ago when I stated that I wanted a title shot against Anderson. It wasn't anything personal; I just felt that I was ready for the title shot. Anderson always told me that when it was my time to fight for the title that he would already be retired. So, I'm really not sure what he's going to do."
Munoz injured, Bisping replaces him against Chael Sonnen!
Mark Munoz is injured. Bisping was originally scheduled to fight Demian Maia, now replaced against Chael Sonnen.
Bisping: "Well, this is it! The biggest fight of my life, offered to me on 10 days notice: a No. 1 contender’s fight for the UFC middleweight title. Me against Chael Sonnen, who is one of the best-known fighters in the sport, live on FOX next Saturday night, Jan. 28. A huge fight, huge opportunity for me and my family.
I was due to fight Demian Maia, probably the most dangerous Brazilian Jiu-jitsu fighter in the division, if not the entire UFC, on the Chicago card. It was already a short-notice fight, just seven weeks after my fight in Las Vegas where I beat up Jason "Mayhem" Miller. But I was thrilled — honored, actually — to be asked by the UFC to be part of this huge event live on FOX.
Then I got a call Tuesday afternoon from UFC president Dana White. I was sitting down having some post-morning workout lunch, talking with my trainers about how well my BJJ defense was looking ahead of my UFC on FOX fight with Maia.
We were all rather pleased with how things were going; Maia is basically a 50-times-better version of Miller, but there are similarities. They are very similar fighters in style if not ability, and so the things I worked on for Miller set me up nicely for the Maia fight. I was drilling my submission defense like crazy, and was very confident of putting on a massive performance against Damien.
Then “DANA WHITE” popped up on my caller ID. I picked it up and Dana said: “I got some good news for you ... Mark Munoz is hurt, how’d you like to take his place and fight Chael for the No. 1 contender spot?”
Dana hadn’t even finished saying Munoz was out before I was planning how to beat Sonnen in my head. I’ve accepted fights on short notice for the UFC throughout my career, but this one is a massive, massive chance for me, and I am very grateful to Dana, (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva and the UFC. I was already hugely grateful to be asked to fight on FOX, but to fight Chael on FOX ... well, there are hundreds of fighters who would kill for this opportunity, and I would have had to be a fool to turn it down.
I’m sure I’ll get blasted for this on the forums, but I feel I could have been the one fighting Chael anyway. We were due to be "The Ultimate Fighter" coaches against each other, but because of things outside our control it didn’t happen, and I’ve won a fight since. I don’t understand how Mark Munoz, as great as he’s been doing lately, was getting Chael instead of me. I feel bad for Mark, but I know he’ll come again and no doubt he will be right back in the mix in this very interesting 185-pound weight class.
I feel very sorry for Damien, too, as ours was a great matchup and I am sure he trained hard for me. He’s a class act as a fighter and a person, and I am glad he’s still getting a great fight and opportunity on FOX.
Next week, I’m ready to go all guns blazing. A fight is a fight, and at this level anything can happen, but all things being equal, Chael Sonnen cannot knock me out. He can’t submit me, either. The worst that is going to happen is that he will outpoint me and, if I don’t beat him, I didn’t deserve a title shot against Anderson Silva anyway.
But my performance against Miller in the opening round, where he held me down for three minutes, wasn’t good enough, and I will need to be better Saturday. I needed to be better than that if I was going to beat Maia, and I will need to be better than that to beat Chael."
Munoz: Sonnen Shouldn’t Worry About Danger In Brazil, Because He Won’t Be Going
UFC Top Contender is ready for Sonnen, kicks off the talk!
“I have power in my hands. Chael gets on top of people but doesn’t finish them. I finish guys. It’s what I do. I go out there and the guns are blazing. On the feet or on the ground it doesn’t matter. I’m going to demonstrate that power every chance I get. There isn’t any animosity between us. He’s a nice guy. We actually have pleasant conversations together where we talk about wrestling. We’re managed by the same manager and we see each other frequently. I don’t have anything bad to say about him and the dude can market a fight. He talks the way he talks and he backs it up by the way he fights. I’m going to let my fighting do the talking. That’s how I got to this point in my career.
Anderson tends to have trouble with wrestlers. I’m a strong wrestler and I go out there and make it dirty. That’s exactly how Chael is. He goes out there, gets in your face and grinds out matches. I’m the same kind of fighter but I demonstrate more power. When we are on the ground you do not want me on top of you. I’m confident in every position and I’ve never been submitted in a fight.
Fans haven’t had the opportunity to actually see my jiu-jitsu, but I have great jiu-jitsu defense which actually compliments my wrestling and allows me to do what I do best. The Donkey Kong comes out. I get on top of someone and then boom, boom, boom. It’s just what I do.
There are bounties for Chael down in Brazil. But he doesn’t have to worry about it, because he’s not going to have to go down there.
Mark Munoz thinks Chael Sonnen is not going to trash talk before bout
"Me and Chael, we actually go way back. We got respect for each other and I don't think he's going to talk trash. Despite what everybody thinks, man, Chael's a good guy. We're managed by the same manager, management team, so we're actually real cordial with one another."
Sonnen on a possible title eliminator bout on Bisping
Sonnen on Twitter : “Bisping isn’t worth the time. Hey @Mark_Munoz, what do you say we give em a show. For ole times sake….”
Chris Leben suspended for one year!
Chris Leben has tested positive for Oxycodone and Oxymorphone after his loss to Mark Munoz in the UFC 138 which has taken place in Birmingham, England on Nov 5th. This is his second suspension. The first was about steroid Stanozolol.
Dana White on the Suspension: “I like Chris and I want him to do well, but based on his actions, he’s been suspended for one year. If he needs professional help, we are going to be there for him. We want to see him succeed not only in the Octagon, but in his personal life.”
Chris Leben on the suspension : “I would like to make it known that I fully accept this suspension and apologize for embarrassing the UFC, my friends and family, and the sport of mixed martial arts,” Leben said. “I’m learning that I’m my own worst enemy sometimes. I can’t succeed in the Octagon or in life behaving this way. I’ve got to make some real changes over the next year and I’m going to focus on getting my life and career back on track. Again, I’m sorry to the UFC and fans that’ve supported me since my days on The Ultimate Fighter.”
Sonnen vs. Munoz set for UFC on FOX 2
Chael Sonnen's next fight will be against Mark Munoz. It's been revelaed that he was to fight Silva for the title shot. Sonnen previously challenged Silva verbally after beating Brian Stann. He talked too much after on media, twitter and such. Later Silva accepted the call if the fight's gonna happen in Brazil. I believe Silva's injury has the effect on the change. He will be out till June '12 and Munoz also on the post fight interview after winning against Chris Leben asked for a title shot. He is now on a 4 win streak. So its clever to profit this time with a title eliminator fight. The winner of this fight will for sure be the next opponent of Anderson Silva. UFC on Fox 2 will take place on Jan 28th at the United Center in Chicage, Illinois.
Mark Munoz wants his title shot!
"I feel that I deserve the title shot and here's my argument. I lost to Yushin Okami, close split decision. He ended fighting ... for the title. Since then I've been on a four fight winning streak. My third fight in my winning streak I fought Demian Maia, who was a number one contender and fought for the title. I Ended up beating him in a unanimous decision. My next fight, Chris Leben, my fourth fight in my winning streak, I fought him and you guys saw what I did to him. So having beat two top five guys, two number one past contenders, losing to Yushin Okami and being on a four fight winning streak, I feel that I'm next in line. I think that's a valid argument. Chael Sonnen loses, had his chance, wins one and now he gets a title shot? No. I feel that I'm more of the person who should get a title shot."
Sonnen : Munoz and Co can't beat Anderson Silva
Sonnen in an interview claimed that UFC has to offer him another title shot against Silva with the reason of no one else is able to beat him.
"They have to come back to me eventually. No one has come as close as I have to dethroning him, and no one will. Eventually the fights will get so much more boring than they already are, and they will have to give me my rightful fight. I could offer Silva the entire state of Oregon and he would dodge me. But I do still have plenty of bait to try on him. Believe me; you'll know it when you see it. Let me ask you something: when you have a big project or plans for a big goal, do you let yourself get derailed by a whiny co-worker that always finds an excuse to shovel work on someone else? No! You do your work, you beat your obligations senseless, you shine like a pagan sun god, you make that whiny prat look foolish, you take their job and you comfort their obviously unsatisfied wife by taking her out to dinner. I'm not cooling my heels just because Anderson's are kicked up on the sofa."
Munoz stops Leben, says he's going to be the champion.
In the first round Munoz secured a take down within the first minute, however Leben got back to his feet. Again Munoz pressed to him up against the cage and secured another takedown. In the rest of the round Munoz controlled Leben. The second round was almost the same way. Munoz is a great wrestler, Leben never had a chance against him in the ground. Munoz got him to the ground in the first minute just like the first round, and showed serious ground£. The result was a badly cut above Leben's left eye. The referee offered Leben to stop the fight if he was unable to see, Leben said he can see and continued. Unfortunately for Leben, his corner stopped the fight due to his inability to see out of his left eye.
In the post fight conference Munoz stated: “I came to the UFC because I want to be the best. For me, I would love to be a world champ. I want to be a world champ in this organization. All respect goes to(points the current Champ Silva), but at the same time, I want to get that top spot.”
Leben vs. Munoz
Chris Leben: 'When I am right and focused, I don’t see anyone beating me'
"For me I always knew what type of fighter I could be. I knew I had the physical tools and the heart, but truthfully my biggest enemy has always been me. When I am right and focused, I don’t see anyone beating me. The biggest difference has to be doing the right thing. It has to do with more of a focus on training and taking better care of myself ... As long as I am healthy, I’d like to think I can compete for another four or five years. As long as I can be competitive and enjoying myself then we’ll see where this ride takes me."
Mark Munoz about Leben fight:
"Yeah, it does give me some added motivation.(About Leben finishing out his friend Wanderlei) Wanderlei's a good friend of mine. I train closely with him through King's MMA and he is a friend. So it does give me some added motivation, definitely. Yes, I'll be looking for the finish. I always look for the finish in my fights. Although I didn't get to finish Demian Maia, I was doing my best to, but he's a wizard on the ground, man. I did some land some big shots. I even went for a submission on him. But, hey, I think people saw the improvement of my game in that fight. I'm no different. I'm just an updated version of Mark Munoz."
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