Twitter reacts to Mark Munoz retirement

Cynical sayings about nice people did not apply, as one of the nicest figures in mixed martial arts went out with a win. Filipino-American Mark Munoz dominated Luke Barnatt at UFC Fight Night 66, in a unanimous decision win in front of an adoring crowd at Luke Barnatt today at UFC Fight Night 66.

Thank you very much Philippines, I will represent you guys from the bottom of my heart,” said an emotional Munoz afterwards, as transcribed by Jeremy Brand for MMASucka.

From the day when I was a kid, I was watching cartoons and remember watching super-heroes — I get to reenact that every time I step into the cage.

This is something I’ve dreamed about; I know I didn’t accomplish, what I wanted to accomplish in the cage, but I invested a lot of my time in lives and I invested in treasures in their heart and I’ve been able to change lives and impact lives in a positive way. That’s what I’m here for.’

I have a story to be able to give to kids and I want to be able to teach and come back here to the Philippines and be able to give my talents, gifts and abilities to you guys. And be able to help the Philippines in wrestling and that’s my goal. I have so much to give to this sport.

I’m putting my gloves in the center of the Octagon, because I’ve got so much love and admiration for the sport. Thank you to the best organization on the planet in mixed martial arts. Thank you UFC, thank you Dana White, thank you Lorenzo — I will cherish these memories for a lifetime. We all have a story and mixed martial arts has been the story of my career. You might get hit by unforeseen things — people might have cancer, you might have diabetes, but your life doesn’t stop there; you get back up and you keep competing to the best of your ability and that’s what my career’s all about.

And as always, Twitter reacted.

TJ Dillashaw @TJDillashaw

Congrats @mark_munoz! Love you buddy

Jay Glazer ‏@JayGlazer

Huge congrats and love for @mark_munoz for his retirement today. Class, honor, respect… won’t find a better man in the sport

Aljamain Sterling @FunkMaster_UFC

Hold it together Aljo! Don’t cry! Don’t cry! ahh screw it! The game is gonna miss you Mark Munoz! Fun career to watch

 Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani

Just legendary stuff from Munoz. Expected nothing less from him. Rly great that they let him talk a little longer. (may have teared a bit)

Aaron Simpson @aaronsimpson

Enjoy the new chapter @mark_munoz. Had the pleasure of calling you my adversary and my friend

Chuck Mindenhall ‏@ChuckMindenhall

All that emotion that was just left in the cage by Munoz about to be consumed by the no-feelings vortex that is Gegard Mousasi.

Stipe Miocic @stipemiocicufc

And @mark_munoz thanks for the amazing fights in your career. Great to see you end it on your terms. #Legend

Kenny Florian @kennyflorian

You’re not gonna find a nicer guy than @mark_munoz and I couldn’t be happier to see him get a win for his last fight in the #Philippines

KSOS @KSOSufc

Perfect way to go out @mark_munoz! so proud of you my friend!

Dana White @danawhite

Great win for @mark_munoz one of the nicest guys in the sport.

WEC @WECNeverForget

We will NEVER FORGET Mark’s contributions to this sport. Congrats on a fantastic career, @mark_munoz!

Ryan Bader @ryanbader

Congrats @mark_munoz on a great career! Great to see guys go out on their own terms

Dann Stupp @DannStupp

Loved the way Chris Lytle left MMA. I think we’ll fondly remember Mark Munoz’s departure the same way. Sadly, such retirements are too rare.

E. Casey Leydon @ekc

I love Mark Munoz. He and his wife at Reign were always the nicest people to us every time we came to your gym. You rule.

Ben Fowlkes @benfowlkesMMA

What a way to go out. Respect, Mark Munoz. Hopefully that performance makes it easier to retire and stay that way with a clear mind.

michael @bisping

•Great performance by @mark_munoz 30-27 hard stylistic match up for barnatt. He’ll learn from it.

•And best retirement speech ever award goes to @mark_munoz such a class act!

Tommy Toe Hold ‏@TommyToeHold

Mark Munoz Forever

MMA Roasted ‏@MMARoasted

Mark Munoz just announced that he is coming out of retirement.