Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Vann | JTF Soldier, Spc. Tonette Zoutomou with the 420th Military Police Company gets an...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY Cuba - Children, Joint Task Force Guantanamo troopers and other residents of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay stood in line at the Navy Exchange Atrium and at Denich Gym Saturday for the opportunity to meet two talented athletes.
The Mixed Martial Arts fighters with the Ultimate Fighter Championship, Jeremy Stephens, nicknamed, ‘Lil Heathen and fellow fighter, Tim “The Psycho” Gorman, arrived at GTMO for a USO-sponsored tour. The bantamweight class fighter was also on season 18 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Even though he left the show early due to an injury, he still became a fighter with UFC.
While Stephens, a featherweight, says he has done previous events for the Wounded Warrior Project, this is the first USO tour meet and greet for both of the fighters.
“It’s a great experience,” said Gorman. “We decided to come out here about two weeks ago, and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to come out here and support the troops. It feels good knowing that I’m part of a great cause.”
Stephens added that the residents here were extremely welcoming and that it was a humbling experience being around all the service members that are away from their families and the comfort of home.
One of the Sailors in line who brought his daughter out to receive an autographed photo is a huge UFC fan and was thankful for the opportunity to meet both Gorman and Stephens.
“I’ve been watching UFC since it started Nov. 12, 1992,” said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Murray with the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, who used to train with UFC fighters in Tampa, Florida. “I think they’re great … they’re nice, they’re calm, cool and collected, true professionals. Even in places like GTMO when you’re away from your family, having guys coming down and take the time out of their careers to visit us, it really means a lot.”
Another avid UFC fan, Spc. Tonette Zoutomou, with the 420th Military Police Company, turned out to meet the fighters and hopes to one day see them in a title fight. “I think Stephens could take somebody as the top contender in his weight,” she said.
While Zoutomou noted that the pro fighters were very laid back and approachable, she said that their visit was one of the events deployed Soldiers like her look forward to. “It’s really good that they [USO] brings out fighters and hosts concerts down here; it brings up morale.”
JTF Soldier Spc. Gunner Thorton, with the 339th MP Company, came out to take advantage of an opportunity that wouldn’t be offered to him back home.
“You don’t get the chance that much to meet guys like that,” said Thorton.
“It’s great, especially for people that like this kind of stuff. Back at home, if they’re reserve units or National Guard, they [service members] they don’t get to have this opportunity.”
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2014 11:32 |
| Story ID: | 137149 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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