Former UFC talent Mark Munoz
was reportedly placed on administrative leave as wrestling coach at
Fairmont Private Schools in Southern California after he allegedly
allowed two students to box to settle a dispute.
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According to the
TMZ Sports report, two students who were arguing on the
playground went to Munoz to ask if they could put on boxing gloves
to resolve their differences. The report states that Munoz allowed
it, believing that “the impromptu boxing match was more jovial than
violent.” Munoz was also reportedly not aware of the argument.
However, one of the student’s parents was “outraged” about the
boxing match and went to school administration to complain, and as
a result, Munoz was placed on leave. The 44-year-old had accepted
the position as wrestling coach in September 2020. A school
spokesperson wouldn’t reveal specifics of the incident to TMZ, but
did confirm that Munoz’s contract will not be renewed.
“[He] will not be returning to campus,” the spokesperson said.
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Meanwhile, Munoz issued a statement regarding the incident to
MMAjunkie.com.
“With every ounce of who I am, I desire to be a positive influence
on kids, to teach kids to be the very best wrestlers, to speak
loudly against bullying, and to honor my Lord Jesus Christ,” Munoz
wrote. “There are thousands of wrestlers who I have coached that
would affirm those truths from first-hand experience. Under no
circumstance would I encourage kids to settle a dispute through
fighting.”
A former national champion wrestler at Oklahoma State University,
Munoz went 9-6 in the UFC from 2007 to 2015. He retired after
besting Luke
Barnatt at UFC Fight Night 66 in the Philippines. He also
earned notable wins over the likes of Demian Maia,
Kendall
Grove, C.B.
Dollaway and Chris Leben
during his promotional tenure.