Photo By Col. Christopher LeCron | Marine Capt. Brian Stann, a combat veteran awarded the Silver Star for valor in Iraq, attempts a leg kick during a professional mixed martial arts bout. Stann is now a member of the Individual Ready Reserve and competes professionally full time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. see less
| View Image Page
Capt. Brian Stann, a Marine captain. in the Individual Ready Reserve and a combat veteran awarded the Silver Star in Iraq, made his professional debut in the top level of mixed martial arts, the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championship, on April 18 in Montreal, Canada.
Stann played football in college at the Naval Academy and did not learn mixed martial arts until he arrived at the Marine Lieutenant Basic School in 2003. At the basic school, Stann volunteered for 10 extra weeks of training to become qualified as a black belt at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center for Excellence in Quantico, Va.
"When the Marine Corps Mixed Martial Arts Program is done in the pure form, it is extremely beneficial to all its practitioners," said Stann.
Lt. Col. Mike Zeliff, assistant chief of staff for advertising with Marine Corps Recruiting Command, said Stann's story is "one of a series of great Marine stories" that can be told to show the merits of joining the service.
Although Stann lost in his UFC bout by submission, he is expected to continue to compete at the professional level and improve upon his 6 wins and 2 losses record.
