Photo By Sgt. Jared Sollars | Referee Patrick Miller looks on as Spc. Raul Goodnight tries to lock in a rear naked...... read more read more
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With a quick slam and a thud a combatant in a well lit gym is thrown to the mat then put in a ferocious submission move. That's the heart and soul of any Mixed Martial Arts fight.
Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Department of Defense civilians from Forward Operating Base Marez and Forward Operating Base Diamondback competed in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament in preparation for an upcoming MMA event in May.
MMA events are unique in the way their bouts are set up. Fighters that have trained in various martial arts go head to head. For example, a wrestler will go against someone in his weight class that is well trained in jiu-jitsu or judo. The variations of skill and style in bouts are enormous.
Marine 1st. Lt. Lee Stuckey said, the event is a welcomed relief from the day-to-day operations in theater.
"This event was put together as a morale booster to give the soldiers something to look forward to and participate in." said Stuckey who refereed the weight classes along with professional MMA fighter Sgt. Patrick Miller who both competed in the pro division and were key coordinators in the event.
The tournament was divided into five amateur weight classes and a professional division. The first-place winners in each weight class were presented with a medal, a K-Bar knife, a $50 gift card and a certificate of participation by Col. Gary Volesky, Commander of 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Events like this are positive outlets for Soldiers to put their focus towards self-improvement, making them stronger both physically and mentally, said Stuckey.
"MMA is a good way for people to physically cope with post traumatic stress disorder," Stuckey stated. "I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2003 and as long as I'm training, I don't have the panic attacks or any other PTSD symptoms. I think it's a better solution than just medicating people."
Over the past few years MMA has become a phenomenon that has swept across the world bringing the best of the best to challenge one another, pushing their skills to the limits, said Stuckey, who also is a professional MMA fighter in the U.S.
Personnel interested in learning MMA can go to the main gym on FOB Marez, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All those involved in the event would like to extend special thanks to Mr. David Culley, Air Force MSgt. Timothy Pachasa and his personnel, Miss Allison Williams with Youniquebody personal training, and AFFEES for their time and donations. They would also like to thank Col. Volesky for facilitating the event.
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2009 07:39 |
| Story ID: | 32104 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 239 |
| Downloads: | 222 |
This work, TAP OUT!, by SGT Christopher Kozloski, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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