Tallil Fight Night: The Next Round

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Todd Nordman, a container inspector with the 403rd Inland Cargo Transportation Company, 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Lansing, Mich., native, pins his opponent down during his bout at Fight Night Sept. 18 in Memorial Hall at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jorge Anaya)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

09.18.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

By Sgt. Jorge Anaya

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - “This is our fourth Fight Night chapter in Tallil,” said Sgt. Trevor King, a combatives instructor and referee with the 40th Quartermaster Company, 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Mobile, Ala., native, as service members and civilian contractors prepared to match their fighting skills at Fight Night Sept. 18 in Memorial Hall at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.

“It is exciting to see these fighters viciously training throughout the month and finally showing their skills for everyone tonight,” said King. “We are grateful that soldiers and civilians alike are willing participants in these events, and we always receive great support from garrison command. We hope more people will participate in future events. With more people participating, it will ensure that the fighters with different techniques make for a mind-blowing experience for all spectators.”

King said that he encourages participation and said that all those wishing to train for future fights can train every night at Sprung Gym, where a range of fighters constantly practice to hone their skills.

Among the fighters who participated was Spc. Todd Nordman, a container inspector with the 403rd Inland Cargo Transportation Company, 110th CSSB, and a Lansing, Mich., native, who was competing for a victory against another soldier.

“I suffered a loss tonight, but it showed me where my skills stand,” said Nordman. “The thing about mixed-martial art fights is that it doesn’t matter the size or strength of an individual, but the technique.” Competitors are placed in weight classes, so skill sets the fighters apart.

“Events like these serve as morale boosters because they allow soldiers to let loose, nearly forgetting what’s around them for a moment and be focused on the fight,” added Nordman. “This loss tonight motivated me to look into my technique. I will say if there is another fight night, they can count me in. I look forward to it.”

Nordman said that he will continue to train with other fighters to gain more experience with the goal of one day appearing as a fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“I was just focused on what I had to do next,” said Spc. Michael Dewoody, a Mobile Redistribution Team member with the 40th QM Company, and a Bay City, Texas, native. “My opponent was good in Jiu-Jitsu, so counters provided me with the technique I was looking for. I decided to practice over and over. I never would have imagined being a mixed-martial arts fighter, but I took the chance, trained hard, and walked-off with my first win.”

Dewoody said he trained for several weeks, but decided to actually compete in fight night only two hours before the fight was to take place.

The performances provided by the fighters pleased the crowd as many of them yelled and shouted chants for their favorite fighter, leaving each fighter with an obligation to do the best, not only for themselves, but for their unit and their audience.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2010
• Date Posted: 10.11.2010 13:01
• Story ID: 57902
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ