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Brian Stann

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Brian Stann
Stann in 2013
BornBrian Michael Stann
(1980-09-24) September 24, 1980 (age 44)
Fussa, Tokyo, Japan
Other namesThe All-American
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight (185 lb) (2010–2012)
Light Heavyweight (205 lb) (2006–2010, 2013)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
Fighting out ofScranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
TeamJackson's Submission Fighting
Rank3rd Degree Black Belt in MCMAP
Purple Belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active2006 – 2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins12
By knockout9
By submission1
By decision2
Losses6
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision2
Websitehttp://www.brianstann.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service / branch U.S. Marine Corps
Years of service2003–2008
Rank Captain
Unit2nd Mobile Assault Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines
Battles / warsIraq War
Battle of Al Qaim
Other workProfessional Mixed martial artist
Last updated on: October 11, 2011

Brian Michael Stann (born September 24, 1980) is an American former mixed martial artist and U.S. Marine who competed in the middleweight and light Heavyweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He also competed in the light heavyweight division of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), where he is a former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion. He was also a color commentator for both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and ACC football games on Fox Sports Net.[1][2]

Background

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Stann being awarded his Silver Star in 2006

Stann was born at Yokota Air Base in Fussa, Tokyo, Japan, and grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Scranton Preparatory School and subsequently enrolled in the United States Naval Academy in 1999 (Class of 2003). While at the Naval Academy, he played football for the Midshipmen as a middle linebacker.[3] Upon graduation, he was assigned as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, eventually achieving the rank of captain.[4]

On May 8, 2005, then-lieutenant Stann was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, commanding the 2nd Mobile Assault Platoon. During the Operation Matador (which took place during the Battle of Al-Qa'im), his unit was ambushed by insurgents while trying to secure the Ramana Bridge, near Karabilah. Stann and his unit held out for six days, under heavy attack, while coordinating air and tank support that eventually allowed them to be relieved on May 14, 2005.[5] All 42 Marines in Stann's platoon survived. The following March, Stann was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for valor in combat.[6] Part of the citation reads: "Second Lieutenant Stann personally directed two casualty operations, three vehicle recovery operations and multiple close air support missions under enemy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire in his 360-degree fight."[5] This mission was shown on the episode, "Iraq's Most Wanted" on the History Channel show, Shootout!, in which Stann was interviewed. His actions were noted by President George W. Bush during one of his speeches. He left active duty in the Marine Corps as of May 2008. Stann was also the commanding officer in the 8th Marine Regiment Headquarters Company while continuing to fight in the WEC.

U.S. Marine Corps officials have stated that they continue to use Stann's story as a recruiting tool. He attributes his success in mixed martial arts to the foundation he learned while training at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center for Excellence in Quantico, Virginia and the explosiveness and powerlifting exercises he learned while playing football. "He has been an ideal spokesperson and role model" for the Marine Corps, said Lt. Col. Mike Zeliff, assistant chief of staff for advertising with Marine Corps Recruiting Command.[7]

Mixed martial arts career

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Stann began his fighting career in 2006 while still serving on active duty, using accumulated leave to take time off for training and fights.[8]

World Extreme Cagefighting

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On March 26, 2008, Stann defeated Doug Marshall via KO to become the WEC Light Heavyweight champion. With this victory, Stann's MMA record reached 6–0, with five victories in the WEC.

In August 2008, Stann lost his title in his first defense, in a rematch against Steve Cantwell (a loss he avenged a year later).[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In 2008, Zuffa announced plans to merge the WEC's 185-lb and 205-lb weight classes with their UFC counterparts, allowing the WEC to concentrate on lighter weight classes (which eventually merged with the UFC as well).[10]

Stann was scheduled to make his UFC debut on December 10, 2008, at the UFC: Fight For The Troops show, to be held at the Army base of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but he was forced to withdraw from the card due to a foot injury sustained in training.[11] Instead, he faced Krzysztof Soszynski at UFC 97 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 18, 2009. In the first round, Soszynski locked Stann in a kimura, forcing him to tap out for the first time in his career. Stann later stated in an issue of UFC Magazine that, because of previous military commitments, he was unable to adequately prepare himself for the "grappling-based" aspects of the fight, which contributed to his loss.

On September 16, 2009, at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard, Stann once again faced Steve Cantwell in a rubber match. Stann would go on to defeat Cantwell via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28). This would also be the first time he would fight to a decision in his professional career.

Stann defeated UFC newcomer Rodney Wallace on December 5, 2009, at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale by unanimous decision.[12]

Stann then faced UFC newcomer Phil Davis on February 6, 2010, at UFC 109,[13] losing via unanimous decision. Following the fight, Stann revealed he would drop to the 185 lbs. Middleweight division.

Stann then made his middleweight debut against Mike Massenzio on August 1, 2010, at UFC on Versus 2.[14] Stann claimed his first ever submission victory, catching Massenzio in a triangle choke midway through the final round, in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors.

Stann then fought in the co-main event of UFC 125 on New Years Day. He defeated Chris Leben with a first-round TKO stoppage. With this win, he became the second man to defeat Leben by way of strikes, the first being former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.

Stann was scheduled to face former Pride Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130.[15] However, Silva voiced his reluctance to face Stann and was replaced by former Sengoku Middleweight Champion Jorge Santiago. Stann defeated Santiago via TKO in the 2nd round. A right to the temple sent Santiago to the mat, followed by numerous strikes by Stann which forced the stoppage.[16]

Stann then fought Chael Sonnen on October 8, 2011, at UFC 136[17] where he was defeated via second round submission.

Stann faced Alessio Sakara on April 14, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva.[18] After knocking down Sakara early with knees from the clinch, Stann utilized heavy ground-and-pound, delivering short elbows and hammerfists that eventually knocked Sakara out. Stann was awarded the victory at 2:26 of the first round. After Stann delivered the knockout blow, he sat up and motioned to the ref that Sakara was out, rather than delivering unnecessary (and potentially damaging) blows before the ref could jump in and stop the fight. Stann's actions were highly praised by both the media and fighters, with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones being quoted as saying that Brian Stann's actions were "good for the sport." UFC president Dana White also issued his praise for Stann's actions in the cage, calling him "one of the classiest people on Earth!".[19]

Stann was expected to face Héctor Lombard on August 4, 2012, at UFC on Fox 4.[20] However, Stann was forced out of the bout, citing a shoulder injury.[21]

Stann next faced Michael Bisping on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152, losing by unanimous decision.[22]

On March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8, the long-awaited fight between Stann and Wanderlei Silva happened, in a Light-Heavyweight division showdown.[23][24] Stann lost the fight via KO in the second round, in a bout that featured back-and-forth action, earning both participants Fight of the Night honors.[25][26]

On a special edition of Ariel Helwani's MMA Hour on July 11, 2013, Stann announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition.[27] Upon retiring, Stann became an analyst and commentator for Fox Sports and UFC.[28] In August 2017, Stann announced that he would be leaving his job with Fox and UFC to become a real estate executive.[29]

Professional Fighters League

[edit]

In May 2018, ESPN reported that Stann accepted the advisory role as the head of Fighter and Competition/Rules Committee in the advisory board of Professional Fighters League (PFL), formally known as World Series of Fighting, where PFL would launch its inaugural season on July 7, 2018, airing on NBC Sports. Stann's main responsibility in the role would be influencing PFL on tournaments management, treatment and recruitment of the fighters. As per the report, Stann did not anticipate this new opportunity with PFL prior to leaving his commentary position with Fox Sports and the UFC.[30]

Personal life

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Stann is married. He and his wife Michelle along with their five daughters currently reside in Milton, Georgia.[31] For nine years, Stann was president and CEO of Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit organization that helps U.S. military veterans. Until August 2021 he was the Chief Operating Officer at FirstKey Homes (a Cerberus Capital Management portfolio company) and is currently CEO of Hunt Military Communities.[32]

In the fall of 2010, Stann published his memoir "Heart for the Fight: A Marine Hero's Journey from the Battlefields of Iraq to Mixed Martial Arts Champion" (Zenith Press). Written with military historian John R. Bruning, "Heart for the Fight" details Stann's experiences as a youth growing up in Scranton, PA, playing football for the U.S. Naval Academy, serving as a decorated Marine in Iraq, and becoming WEC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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United States military

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Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
18 matches 12 wins 6 losses
By knockout 9 2
By submission 1 2
By decision 2 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–6 Wanderlei Silva KO (punches) UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann March 3, 2013 2 4:08 Saitama, Japan Light Heavyweight bout. Fight of the Night.
Loss 12–5 Michael Bisping Decision (unanimous) UFC 152 September 22, 2012 3 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 12–4 Alessio Sakara KO (punches) UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva April 14, 2012 1 2:26 Stockholm, Sweden
Loss 11–4 Chael Sonnen Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 136 October 8, 2011 2 3:51 Houston, Texas, U.S.
Win 11–3 Jorge Santiago TKO (punches) UFC 130 May 28, 2011 2 4:29 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Fight of the Night.
Win 10–3 Chris Leben TKO (knee and punches) UFC 125 January 1, 2011 1 3:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 9–3 Mike Massenzio Submission (triangle choke) UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko August 1, 2010 3 3:10 San Diego, California, U.S. Middleweight debut. Fight of the Night.
Loss 8–3 Phil Davis Decision (unanimous) UFC 109 February 6, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 8–2 Rodney Wallace Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale December 5, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 7–2 Steve Cantwell Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard September 16, 2009 3 5:00 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Loss 6–2 Krzysztof Soszynski Submission (kimura) UFC 97 April 18, 2009 1 3:53 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 6–1 Steve Cantwell TKO (punches) WEC 35: Condit vs. Miura August 3, 2008 2 4:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Lost the WEC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 6–0 Doug Marshall TKO (punches) WEC 33: Marshall vs. Stann March 26, 2008 1 1:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Won the WEC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Jeremiah Billington TKO (punches) WEC 30 September 5, 2007 1 3:07 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 4–0 Craig Zellner TKO (punches) WEC 28 June 3, 2007 1 4:57 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 3–0 Steve Cantwell TKO (punches) WEC 26: Condit vs. Alessio March 24, 2007 1 0:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 2–0 Miguel Cosio TKO (punches) WEC 21: Tapout June 15, 2006 1 0:16 Highland, California, U.S.
Win 1–0 Aaron Stark TKO (punches) SF 14: Resolution January 6, 2006 1 3:14 Portland, Oregon, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ Martin, Damon. "Brian Stann might just be the best commentator in MMA today". Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  2. ^ MMAWeekly.com Staff (July 10, 2013). "Brian Stann Expands Broadcast Career from UFC to Include Fox Football Coverage - Yahoo Sports". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  3. ^ Cpl. Athanasios L., Genos (March 27, 2006). "Former Navy Football Player Awarded Silver Star". 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune: United States Naval Academy. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  4. ^ "biography". Brianstann.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Genos, Cpl. Athanasios L. (March 14, 2006). "Lieutenant awarded Silver Star, credits it to his Marines". 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune: United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  6. ^ Schogol, Jeff (June 14, 2008). "Capt. Brian Stann: Heroes in the War on Terror". Stars and Stripes. DefenseLink. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  7. ^ "Former Marine captain is ready for UFC debut". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  8. ^ Zillgitt, Jeff (March 26, 2008). "Marine aims to add WEC title to Silver Star". USA Today. Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  9. ^ "Brian Stann". MMA on Tap. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  10. ^ "WEC SHUTS DOWN 205 & 185-POUND WEIGHT CLASSES". MMAWeekly.com. September 26, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  11. ^ "View Topic". Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
  12. ^ "UFC newcomer Rodney Wallace meets Brian Stann at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  13. ^ "Phil Davis vs. Brian Stann added to UFC 109". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  14. ^ "Brian Stann vs. Mike Massenzio In The Works For UFC On Versus 2". heavy.com. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  15. ^ "Wanderlei Silva Returns Against Brian Stann at UFC 130". fifthround.com. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  16. ^ "Jorge Santiago's UFC deal official, meets Brian Stann at UFC 130". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  17. ^ "Middleweights Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann targeted for UFC 136 in Houston". mmajunkie.com. July 6, 2011. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011.
  18. ^ "Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara slated for UFC on FUEL TV 2 in Sweden". mmajunkie.com. January 5, 2012. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012.
  19. ^ "Brian Stann knocks out Alessio Sakara then stops fight : Sports". Primal Habits. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  20. ^ "Hector Lombard vs. Brian Stann targeted for UFC on FOX 4 in Los Angeles". mmajunkie.com. April 29, 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012.
  21. ^ Helwani, Ariel (June 6, 2012). "Brian Stann Out of UFC on FOX 4 Main Event". mmafighting.com.
  22. ^ Mrosko, Gene (July 14, 2012). "Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann booked for UFC 152 on Sept. 22 in Toronto". mmamania.com.
  23. ^ Martin, Damon (December 12, 2012). "Brian Stann vs. Wanderlei Silva Headlines UFC on Fuel 8". mmaweekly.com.
  24. ^ "UFC on FUEL TV 8 headliner Brian Stann says 205-pound bout a onetime thing". mmajunkie.com. December 13, 2012.
  25. ^ "UFC on Fuel TV 8 results recap: Wanderlei Silva vs Brian Stann fight review and analysis". mmamania.com. March 3, 2013.
  26. ^ John Morgan (March 3, 2013). "'Heartbroken' Brian Stann admits over-aggression led to UFC on FUEL TV 8 loss". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013.
  27. ^ Matt Erickson (July 11, 2013). "UFC middleweight Brian Stann retires from MMA to focus on broadcasting, family". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013.
  28. ^ "Brian Stann Commentates UFC 163 With Joe Rogan Out". MMAmania.com. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  29. ^ "Brian Stann announces departure from UFC commentary position". MMAjunkie. August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  30. ^ "Retired Stann accepts advisory role with PFL". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  31. ^ "Brian Stann: A Future Star in MMA? - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog". Sports.aol.com. Retrieved November 5, 2013."Stann going for KO victory Saturday night against Wallace". The Times and the Democrat.com. December 3, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
  32. ^ [1] Hunt Military Communities website. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  33. ^ Meltzer, Dave (June 27, 2013). "Fight of the Half-Year: Wanderlei Silva vs. Brian Stann". Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  34. ^ "Combat Press 2015 MMA Awards: Broadcast Analyst of the Year – Brian Stann". Combat Press. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
[edit]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by 6th WEC Light Heavyweight Champion
March 26, 2008 – August 3, 2008 		Succeeded by
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