On Eve of MMA Retirement, Mark Munoz Sells Reign Training Center

[La Paix]

Reign Training Center, the California MMA gym that cultivated standouts like Jake Ellenberger and Uriah Hall, is no more.

That's according to Mark Munoz, the UFC middleweight who owns the center and shuttered the facility on Friday. The move comes as Munoz prepares to fight LukeBarnatt on May 16 at UFC Fight Night 66, a fight Munoz has said will be his last in pro MMA.

"It was tough. It was really tough," Munoz told broadcaster Ariel Helwani Monday onThe MMA Hour (h/t MMAFighting.com). "I actually got emotional. I really got emotional. There was a three-day period of mourning. I helped a lot of people through that gym."

It seems like a pretty definitive break for Munoz, who announced in March that his fight with Barnatt would mark the end of his MMA career, regardless of the outcome.

Munoz said Monday that the decision to close Reign Training Center was, like his decision to retire, motivated by a desire to spend more time with his family.

UFC Tonight

✔@UFCTonight
Mark Munoz has officially closed the doors of Reign Training Center in order to focus on his family.

9:25 PM - 27 Apr 2015

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On Eve of MMA Retirement, Mark Munoz Sells Reign Training Center | Bleacher Report

 

[ECC170]

Glad hes moving on..let new blood have a roster spot and not risk his health any longer..He hasn't been the same after the Weidman fight..

 

[Wild]

Why not hold onto it, let others manage it, and make a monthly appearance or two? Either way, best of luck to Mark...one of the good guys of the sport.

 

[Star-Lord]

Why not hold onto it, let others manage it, and make a monthly appearance or two? Either way, best of luck to Mark...one of the good guys of the sport.

I had the same thought

 

[Deleted member 1]

The move comes as Munoz prepares to fight LukeBarnatt on May 16 at UFC Fight Night 66, a fight Munoz has said will be his last in pro MMA.

Retire, sell the center, no plans to continue coaching, etc.?
That's a HUGE move and I with him the best of luck. But I'd go nuts going from a million miles an hour down to nothing. Maybe he just needs some time to meditate.

 

[Priziesthorse]

Retire, sell the center, no plans to continue coaching, etc.?
That's a HUGE move and I with him the best of luck. But I'd go nuts going from a million miles an hour down to nothing. Maybe he just needs some time to meditate.

During the interview with Ariel he said he plans to get his teaching certification and wants to coach his son in wrestling.

 

[WoodenPupa]

Looks like his best bet. Too many mid-level fighters keep roughing it and going for the dream when getting out of fighting is a much better call. Can't blame anyone for staying on the road, but more fighters should explore options when there's still time to switch gears. Good for Mark.