UFC middleweight Mark ‘The Filipino Wrecking Machine’ Munoz (12-2) recently had to withdraw from a No. 1 contender bout with Chael Sonnen last weekend in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 3.
Munoz had to have surgery to remove bone chips/spurs from his right elbow and tells MMA Insiders that he’s back and should make his Octagon return this summer.
‘The Filipino Wrecking Machine’ says that with the removal of the bone chips that his reach has actually extended several inches because he is fully able to bend his arm now, and that he expects his punching power to increase also.
When asked his thoughts on possibly fighting Michael Bisping in Brazil on the same card as a Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva fight, Munoz was excited for the opportunity.
“That would be awesome. Bisping is at the top of the division I feel that he would be a great matchup for me. That would be a great card to be on, you know because Anderson is fighting Chael and I’m fighting Bisping to be a number one contender. I think it’s a great matchup. It would be an honor to fight Bisping.”
“Oh yeah, it just showed that he is a more well rounded fighter than everyone had thought. He came out there and was able to come back to his feet, and defend the takedown, and push Chael against the cage, and land a lot of power shots. So he’s a very good fighter and it’s a testament as to how hard he worked and how far he’s come.”
“I have to be prepared for a dogfight. I have to be prepared to take advantage of every position I have on him to land power shots no matter where I’m at. That’s what I’m known for. I’m known to land power wherever I’m at, whether I’m on my feet, whether I’m on the ground. I’m able to come back to my feet and scramble. I think the difference is capitalizing in transition. So power shots in transition. When he’s coming up to his feet ‘boom’, doing that stuff. I think that’s going to be the difference.”
Munoz has won four straight which includes victories over Chris Leben, Demian Maia, C.B. Dollaway, and Aaron Simpson.
Anyone else want to see Mark Munoz vs. Michael Bisping for the next No.1 middleweight contender?