JTF Guantanamo Army Soldier Trains for Mixed Martial Arts

10.21.2009

Story by Pfc. Christopher Vann 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

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Army Sgt. Clint Fielder, the training non-commissioned officer for Joint Task Force Guantanamo Headquarters and Headquarters Company, continues his martial arts training and weekly workouts, by bench pressing 300 pounds at G.J. Denich Gym during deployment at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Oct. 21.

Fielder, who competes in Mixed Martial Arts in his Kentucky hometown, for Submission Street Fighting, a submission academy in Clarksville, Tenn., that specializes in MMA, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and other combative styles.

From such high-profile and respected names in the martial arts community such as undefeated Lyoto Machida, Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar (former World Wresting Entertainment superstar) and Kimbo Slice (street fighter), MMA has become a high-profile sport in the United States and around the world.

While different forms of unorganized, no-rules, unarmed combat predate history and civilization, the earliest documented, organized, minimal-rules fighting event was the ancient Greek pankration (a blend of boxing and wrestling), which was introduced into the Olympic Games in 648 B.C.

Over the years, martial art forms have developed and transformed to the modern day sport, with companies like Strikeforce and the more popular Ultimate Fighting Championship leading the way. The sport of mixed martial arts also welcomes female athletes. There has been a growing awareness of women in the sport due to popular female fighters and personalities such as Gina Carano.

Fielder got his start as a four-time high school wrestling champion at Mishawaka High School, in Mishawaka, Ind. After high school, he tried out for SSF at a local bar called Froggy's. Following his try-out, which he won, he has since compiled a record of two wins, and one loss.

"In addition to being the training NCO, I also am the company finance and staff intelligence representative, and the special population physical training NCO, so I have my hand in a lot as far as work," said Fielder.

While deployed, Fielder must put his fights on hold, but continues to train, as much as possible.

"I train six days a week, which includes two hours of weight lifting and a half hour of running, I train on the punching bag three times a week and I also practice my wrestling twice a week," said Fielder.

The training that Fielder does enables him to remain in shape, which helps to keep him prepared for his physical fitness test.

Fielder plans to return to New York after his deployment, to better his wrestling skills and Ju-Jitsu, and also to learn Krav Maga, an Israeli martial arts form.

Fielder first learned of the Israeli fighting style, Krav Maga, while he was deployed in Afghanistan.

"I learned about Krav Maga when I was stationed with the Israelis, while on a Chinook, they said I was in pretty good shape and asked if I did any fighting. I told them I wrestled and they offered to teach me Krav Maga, in return, if I taught them to wrestle," said Fielder.

With a small, fledgling group of residents at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay who participate in MMA, Fielder sometimes has a hard time finding people to spar with.

"It's kind of rough being down here, I have to go out and find people to train and spar with, on my own," said Fielder.

So, for anyone thinking of getting into the sport, Fielder has some cautious advice.

"If you know you're going in there, getting knocked around, it's probably not wise to stay in the sport for very long," said Fielder.

For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.