He may be a terror in the cage but MMA fighter Mark Muñoz has a softer side and he isn’t afraid to show it.
“Pilipinas, mahal ko kayong lahat. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong suporta at tiwala sa akin. Thank you very much, Philippines. I will represent you guys to the bottom of the my heart. I wanna say I love you to my beautiful wife, my kids, my mom, my dad, my sister, I love you guys,” the Filipino Wrecking Machine said in his retirement speech delivered at the Mall of Asia Arena after beating Luke Barnatt.
He added, “You know… when I was a kid, I was watching cartoons and I remember watching superheroes. I get to reenact that every time I step into the cage. I have a platform to talk about my life. I represent the Philippines, my family, the United States of America, with my anti-bullying campaign and a lot of things, guys, I try to be a role model to kids today… thank you very much for the support and the trust in me. I love you guys so very much, thank you.”
Asked to give a message to mixed martial arts fans around the world, Mark said, “I’ve been able to help change lives and impact lives in a positive way. That’s what I’m here for. I have a story to be able to give to kids and I want to be able to teach and come back here to the Philippines and give my talents and abilities and be able to help the Philippines and that’s my goal. I have so much to give to this sport. I’m putting my gloves in the center of the octagon because I’ve got so much love and admiration for this sport… We all have a story. Mixed martial arts has been the story of my career. We might get hit by unforeseen things, people might get hit by… cancer, by diabetes, but your life doesn’t stop there. You get back up and you keep competing to the best of your ability… I give all the praise and glory to my Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Muñoz’s tender side can be seen on his Instagram feed too—in his posts about his family, his friends and his beloved sport that he just bade farewell to.