WEC's Brian Stann Crushes MMA Fighters, Insurgents
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We asked the former U.S. Marine captain and current undefeated WEC light heavyweight champion some questions and, in return, he didn't choke us to death.
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Watch Brian Stann take on Steve Cantwell this Sunday, August 3rd at 9PM EST, Live on Versus. MORE INFO
| In 51 words or less, who is Brian Stann?
I am a Marine, a father, a husband who also happens to be a professional mixed martial artist. Due to a couple things in the cage and to some things that have happened to me in combat, here I am. It was nothing ever expected and nothing I really asked for.
That happens a lot; guy has a full-time job as a construction worker or babysitter and then—surprise!—he beats people up after work.
It's a younger sport and we don't get paid as much as boxers.
Tell us about Iraq. Charming place, no?
I did two tours, seven months apiece, and honestly the only thing that could've scared me was if something happened to my family. I've been there, done that with most things, but now being a husband and a father, there are things I worry about. Like if your wife and daughter get in an accident while you aren't there to help.
You received a Silver Star after your platoon was ambushed near the Syrian border, waiting six days for reinforcements. Got any more war stories?
I often tell one about a kid named Jeffrey Hanson, a young marine from Indiana who wasn't always the most disciplined guy. He was as smart as any Marine I have worked with, but I had to chew him out a couple of times. There was one operation in particular where his vehicle was destroyed and everyone in it was wounded severely. He was the one who put the fire out and carried them out of the truck and got them to safety. When it came time for me to do medical evacuations, I thought he should have left as well because he was in the blast. He looked me in the eye and said, "Sir, I want to stay and fight." And he did, for the duration of the operation, which was another four and a half days. You're not going to find a more courageous 19-year-old kid in the world than that.
You've been doing a lot of media for your upcoming title fight with Steve Cantwell. Get any questions that really get under your skin?
A lot of the media have been class acts. Sometimes they get too detailed about what may or may not have happened in Iraq, like "How many people have you killed?" "What does it feel like when one of your marines dies?" or "Have you ever killed someone with your bare hands?" Stupid questions like that I won't answer on national media.
(Crossing those questions off our list...) OK, so, you've been in MMA for how long now?
I started fighting in 2004. At that time, I had to do two tours in Iraq, so that broke up my training.
What's the difference between training to be a Marine and training to be a MMA fighter?
The biggest difference is when you are training to go to Iraq, it's a team atmosphere; I am training my whole unit and we are all training together. MMA is an individual sport. You're not going to have anyone else to call upon for help. There is no teammate in there that can help you.
You're in the light heavyweight division, which is really stacked: There's Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, "Rampage" Jackson, Wanderlei Silva. If you got to choose, which one would you want to fight?
I want to fight anyone that'll help me get to top 10 in the world. That is my goal. Out of all the guys you named, I would pick Wanderlei Silva. He is one of the most feared guys at 205 lbs. ever. He is absolutely ferocious. I would love to go out there and mix it up with him.
 Plus his nickname is "Axe Murderer," so you can't go wrong with that, right?
Oh yeah. He always brings it.
You were on The Howard Stern Show in May presenting a prize for their "Hottest Chick with the Ugliest Scar" contest. How'd that go?
I was in Pennsylvania visiting family and one of NBC's producers called me up asking if I wanted to do it. I was on for about 30 minutes and Howard was very respectful of what I had to say and that I was trying to explain what the men and women are going through [in Iraq]. Of course, he had his humor to break up some of the seriousness, but he and his people certainly honored and respected those who served.
Getting back to your upcoming fight with Steve Cantwell—you knocked him out in 41 seconds last year. This is your first title defense—got any pre-fight jitters?
Well, yeah, everyone does. Everyone says it's easier to win the title than defend it. When you win the title there is no matchmaking, there is no nothing. You are only fighting the toughest guys, so you can't put too much pressure on yourself. I am a much better fighter than I've ever been and I don't expect anything less.
Do you think your opponent is underestimating you, maybe thinking that knockout was a fluke?
I absolutely do. I think he doesn't respect my skills whatsoever. I think he believes that I am just a raw athlete and don't know much about the fight game. He will use his technique to overwhelm me. There is no shortage of motivation coming into this fight for me.
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