UFC Fight Night 66: Mark Munoz announces retirement following Luke Barnatt fight in Manila

Mark Munoz hasn't had the best run as of late.

The longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran has dropped three straight first-round defeats inside the Octagon, most recently losing to Roan Carneiro at UFC 184 on Feb. 28, 2015.

While some thought that would be "The Filipino Wrecking Machine's" final bout, expecting the wrestling powerhouse to call it a career to avoid another devastating loss and prevent any long-term damage, Munoz earned himself another shot inside the cage he's called home for the last six years.

And he gets to do it in the Philippines, his native country, when he takes on Luke Barnatt at UFC Fight Night 66 on May 23, 2015 in Manila.

Yes, Munoz was born in Japan, but he caries pure Filipino blood through his veins. And fighting in his parent's home country was something Munoz always longed for. Now, not only does he get to fulfill that dream, but he also gets to close out his eight-year mixed martial arts (MMA) career on his terms.

That's right, Mark (13-6) will call it a day after his bout against Barnatt -- win, lose, or draw -- according to Bloody Elbow.

And it's all thanks to the unfortunate injury Clint Hester suffered that allowed this bout to come to fruition, which makes you wonder if Mark already had plans to hang them up for good, or if he came to that conclusion once he realized he had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do it in the Philippines.

Sure, Munoz's career has been far from a fairy tale (Chris Weidman saw to that), but despite his recent struggles, the hard-hitting middleweight has the pen in his hand and the chance to write somewhat of a happy ending to his story, if he can manage to end his skid and go out on a victory.

Having said that, you can bet the one-time, history-making contender who at one point was considered a legit threat to Anderson Silva's title, will put it all on the line to make it a reality.