Munoz and Simpson: Fighters put friendship aside at UFC 123

Mark Munoz and Aaron Simpson are remarkably similar. Both have strong wrestling pedigrees: Munoz was a national champion at Oklahoma St. while Simpson was an All-American at Arizona St. They both coached in the wrestling Pac-10. Munoz helped UC-Davis to their first national champion, and Simpson was key to success at both Arizona St. and Cal Tech. They both got into the MMA game relatively late, but won right from the start. Munoz is 8-2 and Simpson is 7-1.

They are old friends, and even helped each other get into MMA when coaching wrestling. Check the 3:30 point in the video to hear how Simpson and Munoz discussed getting into MMA while coaching at the NCAA championships in 2007 at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich.

When they fight at UFC 123 at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich., two remarkably similar men will have to put their friendship aside. Munoz admits that he's not looking forward to punching Simpson, but he'll find a way.

"No, I'm not. I'll try to picture somebody else's face in front of him."

Thanks to Fight! Magazine

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Munoz-and-Simpson-Fighters-put-friendship-aside?urn=mma-286087

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