• UFC 131

I'm not a big hitter - Munoz

ESPN staff
June 8, 2011
UFC 131 Countdown: Maia v Munoz

Mark Munoz has talked down his knockout power ahead of a middleweight clash with Demian Maia at UFC 131.

Munoz's recent performances, particularly his one-minute KO of CB Dollaway, have earned him the reputation as an iron-fisted hitter, but he has distanced himself from the tag.

"I tell people all the time that my weakness is my stand-up," Munoz said to the Las Vegas Sun. "For me to be able to get a knockout feels awesome.

"I was like, 'wow, that's how it feels'. It's kind of like when a lion gets his first kill. That's how it really is. Now, I'm hoping there's more to come. I'm training for that.

"I had never felt that in a fight [before KOing Dalloway]. I had felt it in practice, but there's headgear and big gloves. That felt like I was hitting pads. When you hear that pop and feel it in your arm and know it was great technique, it felt the same way. I just want to follow it."

Munoz, who will break into the top ten of the middleweight division with a win, sees the Maia fight as a potential gateway to mega-fights.

"This is an awesome fight," Munoz said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and this is huge for me. It's definitely a chance to put me where I want to be in the division."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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