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UFC star Mark Munoz flies out for Philippines trip today

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RECENT: Anderson Silva hints retirement; will he hang it up after rematch with Sonnen? /  UFC's Arianny Celeste to visit the Philippines in March

UFC middleweight star and top contender Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz is scheduled to fly out today from California to Manila to attend an MMA event in the Philippines this weekend as well as visit his native roots for the first time in his life.

This according to Munoz, who sent me a text message informing me that he will be in the country to help corner his fighters like Raja Shippen, who is set to fight Harris Sarmiento in the co-main event of PXC (Pacific X-treme Combat) 29 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on February 18.

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The full-blooded Filipino Munoz has long been trying to visit the Philippines, but with his career taking off and the UFC keeping him on a tight schedule, it took an unfortunate elbow injury that forced him off his title eliminator fight against Chael Sonnen three weeks ago, to finally open up his schedule.

Mark's father hails from Bicol and was a serviceman in the NAVY, while his mom on the other hand is from Sta. Ana in Manila, and is the primary culprit for Munoz's love for Filipino food. His parents ran a Filipino restaurant for years in Vallejo, California while he was growing up.  

"The Filipino culture.. these are my roots man. I grew up Filipino. I grew up around Filipinos. I just love my culture man." Munoz told me. "I'm excited to finally come home to my roots." 

Munoz will be staying in the Philippines all the way up to the 21st, then fly back to the US to resume rehabbing his surgically repaired elbow. The timetable for his return is tentatively set around July.

 - dSG -

All about Munoz: "The Filipino culture.. these are my roots man. I grew up Filipino. I grew up around Filipinos. I just love my culture man." -- Who is Mark Munoz?

CLICK HERE to find out more on Mark Munoz, his fighting background and bio

CLICK HERE for our visit and inside look at Mark Munoz's Reign Training Center in the Orange County Area in California

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, Filipino Sports Examiner

Dennis is a seasoned sports writer. For breaking news, live coverage, interviews and commentaries, he is "the source" for Filipino Sports. You may contact Dennis with your comments and questions.

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