Mark Munoz has very hard with Team Blackhouse to make most of this chance. (photo courtesy of fivecandleproductions.com)
At every Filipino party, there is a lot of food.
Normally this wouldn’t be a problem for Mark Munoz, but with a fight coming on Saturday against Ryan Jensen, it is a little difficult to attended a holiday gathering without someone telling him to eat or take a plate home to eat later.
“If you don’t eat it insults him, it’s been challenging to stay on my diet and I cheated a little bit,” Munoz (6-1) admitted. “I had to pay for it [in training]. … I can’t wait until after weigh ins. I’ll make up.”
Munoz used to compete at the light heavyweight division, decided to drop down to middleweight following a knockout loss to Matt Hamill. The move wasn’t as drastic, given Munoz was walking around a 208 prior to fights and the fighters tend to be closer to his height and reach.
“I definitely put myself at a disadvantage [at light heavyweight],” he said. “The 185-pound division wasn’t that far of a reach. [It’s] a better fit for me.”
By moving down, Munoz had to diet to make the weight, and that’s where the complications around the holidays came around.
“When I smelled the cooking going on, people were eating and getting full,” he said. “I missed that. After my fight, I’ll definitely [eat].”
Munoz prioritized his time to be able to see his family as well as train for the fight, admitting he feels blessed to have such overwhelming support.
He picked up his first victory in the UFC by defeating Nick Catone by split decision at UFC 102.
“My last fight was a really good fight,” Munoz said. “He came out he was really well rounded and he had good hands, good shot and takedown defense. It was a hard fought match. We went at it. I just wanted it more.”
Munoz is a member of Team Black House, and he likens it to being a member of the Oklahoma State wrestling team.
As a Cowboy, he worked with various national, world and Olympic champions on a daily basis, and he said Black House is the MMA-equivalent to it by working with the Nogueira brothers and Anderson Silva.
“It’s great to train with the best guys in the UFC,” Munoz said. “It gives you an added confidence. Just to train and talk with him. When I signed at Oklahoma State, it feels like the same thing.”
Munoz’s opponent Jensen (14-5) is coming off a submission victory over Steven Steinbess, but Munoz is looking to push the pace and pressure Jensen.
Munoz said he plans on throwing a party after the fight to make up for lost time during the holidays.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “I love being around my family. … They’re there to support me.”
