Muñoz triumphs in big comeback; Silva loses Weidman

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Mark Muñoz made a triumphant return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, dispatching bruiser Tim Boetsch in UFC 162 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Saturday.

Fighting with renewed vigor, the Filipino Wrecking Machine put his dreaded ground-and-pound weapon in full display, dominating Boetsch and winning on all judges’ scorecards, 30-26, 30-27, and 29-28.

It was a big, inspiring comeback win for Muñoz, who went through injuries, a painful setback, weight gain and depression last year.

“I feel amazing right now,” said Muñoz during the post-fight interview at the Octagon with UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

Muñoz, who improved to 16-3 (win-loss), thanked the crowd who supported him. 

“I really have gone through depression I never thought I would, but I’m a living proof what you can do with will and desire.

“I just want to give all the glory to God. He raised my hand for battle and fingers for war,” added Muñoz, born to Filipino parents from Pasay and Sta. Ana.

Interestingly, Muñoz’s win came on a day Chris Weidman shocked the mixed martial world with a massive upset of Anderson “The Spider” Silva to snatch the middleweight crown.

Weidman, who dealt Muñoz his last loss in UFC on Fuel TV: Muñoz vs Weidman last year via second round KO (elbows and punches), thus handed Silva, considered the best pound-for-pound fighter, his first defeat in seven years.

Muñoz withdrew from a January 2012 bout against contender Chael Sonnen to undergo an elbow injury, which didn’t heal in time when he met and fell to Weidman six months later.

Muñoz, a former two-time All-American wrestler, broke a foot in that defeat, then went into depression after his weight ballooned to sky high.

But the top Fil-Am artist, a mentor to many aspiring fighters including Filipinos, recovered, shed off the extra 60-plus pound weight and demolished Boetsch to underscore his readiness for another big fight, including a title crack.

“Maraming salamat po sa tiwala at suporta sa akin (Many thanks for the trust and support you gave me),” said Muñoz in live UFC TV. “Alam ko na kayong andito at dyan sa Pilipinas, kaya natin ito (I know that with you who are here and in the Philippines, we can do it).”