Mark Munoz put on a sensational come-from-behind performance against Kendall Grove Saturday at UFC 112, appearing to be close to losing the fight in the first round before dominating Grove in the second to earn a hard-fought TKO.

"You've got to have will to survive in the cage, and that's what I have," Munoz said afterward. "I want to make it to the top and that's what you need to get to the top."

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Munoz, an NCAA champion wrestler at Oklahoma State in 2001, wanted to get the fight to the ground and took it there in the opening minute. But Grove was able to get back up to his feet and then dropped Munoz with a hard uppercut that badly hurt him. After that Munoz just hung on for dear life, clinging to Grove for a couple minutes before the referee separated them. When they were separated Munoz landed a couple of hard punches, but when they went to the ground again Grove completely controlled the fight, almost choking Munoz out on multiple occasions. It was an easy 10-9 round for Grove.

Munoz went on the attack at the start of the second, but the tall and lanky Grove landed a knee to Munoz's chin that knocked Munoz down. But Munoz used his incredible wrestling skill to get into a dominant position and then completely turned the tide of the fight with some of the best ground and pound you'll ever see, absolutely exploding on Grove until the referee had no choice but to step in and stop it.

Munoz improved his record to 8-1 with what would have to be considered the biggest win of his MMA career. Grove, a former Ultimate Fighter reality show winner, falls to Grove 11-7.





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