The Nigerian Golden Bear of San Francisco
Friday, December 30, 2011 at 9:19 AM By Sam “ALL JAM” Perez
You would think the title of this piece alone would sum up all there is to know about MMA Junkie listener Muna, however as you shall soon see, it is only a small part of this man’s life story. Born in San Francisco, Munachim Okochi, or MunaBear as we’ve all come to know him by, was a product of native Nigerian parents who immigrated to this country in the 1970’s. The oldest of five, four boys and a girl, Muna was under pressure to lead by example for his siblings and that he has done.
Muna doesn’t consider it pressure though because it was his father who first had to lead the way. Nigerian students in the ‘70’s had the opportunity to study abroad, whether it be the United States or Europe, and Muna’s father chose the city by the bay to further his education. Originally the “Master Plan,” as Muna put it, was to go back to Nigeria after college. However, because of a military coupe in his father’s native country, those plans changed.
Instead, his father sent for his girlfriend, Muna’s mother, to come join him in San Francisco, so that she too could go to school and eventually the Okochi’s settled in the city to raise a family. Although both educated, it was difficult to find work since they weren’t citizens, so his father living with a green card, worked multiple jobs in various fields such as restaurants and security to make ends meet.
He also spent a lot of time working within their Catholic Church, so Muna had both a very educated and religious base he grew up with. Thus, the origin of his given name, which translates to, “God is always with me.” Growing up in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of the city, Muna says, “I was a product of the Hippie movement as my neighborhood was the center of where that lifestyle grew out of.”
Growing up was a “unique” experience, he states because he was an American who didn’t necessarily grow up around a lot of African Americans and yet he was still Nigerian. Thus, he says, “One of the toughest things growing up was finding an identity. I always had friends, but never really one group I could associate with.” That would soon change, yet continue right before going into seventh grade.
Starting to hang with the wrong crowd and go down the wrong path, his parents decided to send him and his next youngest brother to Nigeria to live with their uncle. There Muna would stay for the next three years, once again a stranger in his own country; a Nigerian who was looked upon as an American. “At first it was culture shock; no running water or electricity. Many times I did my homework under a kerosene lamp. Sure in Nigeria cities are developed, but you also have rural areas,” he said.
There were many positive to his three year experience though. As he explained, “It helped me realize my roots. In Nigeria there are three main tribes; my family was part of the Igbo tribe.” “Also, in the United States I spent a lot of time indoors while in Nigeria I got to spend a lot of time outdoors, hanging with friends doing activities such as playing soccer or hanging by the river.”
Growing up in San Francisco, it was inevitable Muna grew up loving the 49’ers and football. So, upon his return to the states prior to his junior year in high school, he had aspirations of playing at the same school that produced the infamous legend O.J. Simpson. Unfortunately, he enrolled in school after the season started, so he was unable to go out for the team. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
A friend suggested he try going out for the wrestling team and without any experience, he ended up being a natural; although he freely admits, “In my first match ever, I gassed worst than Jake Shields in his first fight in the UFC.” However, he enjoyed the overall experience so much, including the discipline, hard work and cutting weight, that in his senior year he went undefeated in the city. Little did he know how much wrestling would come into play later on?
Upon graduation, Muna went to the University of California, which explains where the Golden Bear comes from. Taking time out to teach math & science at a school in Oakland during his tenure, Muna graduated in 2006 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Before graduation, he served an internship with Boeing at their location in Seattle. “While I was there, I just fell in love with the city,” he said. So, when Boeing ended up offering him a job, it was an easy decision.
It was while at Boeing through a co-worker that he discovered MMA. His colleague invited him to watch UFC 60 Hughes vs. Gracie and not surprisingly, he was instantly hooked. “I appreciated that many of the fighters in the sport had the same foundation of wrestling that I had.”
From that point he was on-line looking up all he could about the sport; old fights, articles etc. It was through a friend that he discovered an article on Junkie and while there he saw a link to TAGG Radio where he uploaded a podcast. “I would listen to the podcast while riding my bike to work, he said; then I found myself following the show more and more. The guys seemed chill and once I didn’t feel like such a newbie anymore, I decided to call in with my two cents.”
It was also through Junkie Radio that Muna would eventually meet fellow Seattle listener ‘Bad Mo Jack’. Inevitably they hooked up, went clubbing and to a couple of MMA shows. Becoming good friends and ironically both at the end of their respective leases, they decided to become roommates and six months later they are the best of friends.
Meanwhile, Muna is such a proud graduate of Cal that he conducted this interview while at the airport on the eve of the Holiday Bowl. He was there because he was headed to San Diego to watch his Alma Mater take on Texas; and so lives the Nigerian Golden Bear from San Francisco.
Reader Comments (6)
Muna scored some points with me, I know what it's like being the older brother in a family, its a nightmare. IS Bad Mo Jack Jack from Seattle?
I'm next
Muna seems cool. I remember not likinging him at first when he started calling cant even tell you why but he grew on me and now I think hes one of the better callers on the show.
LOL Comments MGhee!
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