Biography(references)Muñoz with other MMA fighters teaching service members at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, in 2018; Beneil Dariush is at center background Muñoz was born on United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka, a United States Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan, to Filipino parents. Muñoz began wrestling at the age of 13 and also played football, but had to give up the latter sport when he was a sophomore in high school due to an injury. Because of his size and raw talent, Muñoz began wrestling with the varsity team at Vallejo High School. Muñoz went on to compete at Oklahoma State University, where he compiled 121 wins overall, was a two-time All-American, and won an NCAA National Championship in 2001 as a senior. After finishing college, Muñoz came back to be an assistant coach at Oklahoma State for two years, leading the team to an NCAA National Championship in 2003.
Fighter Trivia(references)Muñoz lives with his wife and his four children in Mission Viejo, California. Muñoz ran his own gym, Reign Training Center, in Lake Forest but in the end of April 2015, he sold it to an investor to dedicate more personal time to his children and as a wrestling coach. He was placed on administrative leave from his job as a high school wrestling coach at Fairmont Private Schools in Anaheim, California in May 2022 amid allegations he encouraged students to settle their disputes with playground boxing matches.
Awards & Accolades
UFC: Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Kendall Grove.
FILA Wrestling World Championships: FILA World Championships Junior Freestyle 178.5 1b - 5th place (1996)
FILA Wrestling World Championships: FILA World Championships Junior Freestyle 182.5 1b - 2nd place (1998)
USA FILA Junior World Freestyle Championships: USA FILA Junior World Freestyle Championship 182.5 1b - Winner (1998)
National Collegiate Athletic Association: NCAA Division I All-American (2000, 2001)
National Collegiate Athletic Association: NCAA Division I 197 1b - 3rd place out of Oklahoma State University (2000)
National Collegiate Athletic Association: NCAA Division I 197 1b - Champion out of Oklahoma State University (2001)
This radar shows the proficiencies of the fighter compared to the rest of the fighter's main division. Shows the % of others this fighter is better than in that category. Striking % refers to striking accuracy and Takedown % refers to takedown accuracy More area is better.
Fightpages Web - Notable OpponentsWhat's This?
Expand to full graph
This graph shows high-profile fighters and how they are connected to each other. The lines are fights that connect the fighter avatars with the color of the line representing the outcome for the fighter. Click on the fighters and the lines for relevant info!
