5 UFC fighters with military backgrounds
Among the hundreds of fighters on the UFC roster, there are a few that have served in the military.
Mixed martial arts and the armed forces share many commonalities. Honor, courage, and commitment are just a few of the core values instilled in military personnel and mixed martial artists. It takes discipline and a strong will to survive on the battlefield and in the cage. Additionally, fighters with military experience are used to working harder than everyone else to climb the ranks.
Their toughness is nearly unmatched. Intimidation tactics fail to work on these fighters as they refuse to back down and are trained to deal with immense pressure. Some of the best headlining names in MMA are those who have fought for their country, and although major success is not always the case when transitioning to MMA, these fighters are still respected by many. From the Marine Corps to the Army, veterans of the armed forces make it evident that a military background can be an edge over most competitors.
#5. UFC middleweight fighter - Brian 'All American' Stann
Retired mixed martial artist Brian Stann received the nation's third-highest commemoration for valor in combat.
In 2005, he was awarded the Silver Star for his exemplary leadership and courage in the face of the enemy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Stann was the leader of Weapons Company, Third Battalion, Second Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, Second Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2003 to 2008. During that time, Stann also started a promising MMA career.
As a professional fighter, he devastated his first six opponents with brutal punches, ending the show in round 1. Additionally, out of his 12 wins, 9 of them are by knockout. Before joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he was the light heavyweight champion in the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).
His UFC debut was less than remarkable, as he was finished early by 'The Polish Experiment' Krzysztof Soszynski via a kimura. Stann scored six victories under the UFC and retired in 2013 on a two-fight losing streak. Following his retirement, he spent a few years as a commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and other sports platforms.