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Stann VS Cantwell At UFC Fight For The Troops

2K views 43 replies 19 participants last post by  mtt_c 
#1 ·
It didn’t take long for some of the fighters from the soon-to-be-defunct WEC light heavyweight division to make their move to the UFC and none could be happier than former 205-pound champion Brian Stann, who will make his promotional debut in a third fight against Steve Cantwell at the UFC Fight for the Troops show on Dec. 10.



Stann and Cantwell have fought each other twice in the past with each gaining a victory, most recently with Cantwell taking the 205-pound divisional crown away with a TKO win in early August.



Now that the WEC light heavyweight class is being swept out the door, the title is a moot point, but the rubber match isn’t.



The rematch had already been discussed internally at the WEC, and according to Stann, as happy as he was to get another shot at Cantwell. He was a little sad that a week later a fight would take place in front of the military and he wouldn’t be involved.



“They were talking to me about a rematch right after I lost that fight, so I was already excited about that and I thought it was going to be Dec. 3 in Vegas, so I’d be fighting Steve (Cantwell) in his hometown for the third time,” Stann said in an exclusive interview with MMAWeekly.com. “It was kind of like a tear in my heart because all of a sudden I was watching Spike TV and watching the Fight Night and they announced this special featuring the Fallen Heroes Fund and it’s going to benefit TBI (traumatic brain injury) patients.



“I have so much experience with my guys that suffer from TBI and to get to fight on a military base. I was in Iraq when they fought on the marine base last time so I didn’t get a chance to fight or even be there, and I just thought this is a dream come true.”



The dream will indeed come true for Stann who will get the chance not only to settle the score with Cantwell, but he will have the fight in front of his heroes, the men and women who serve in the military.



“Most people go to fights to watch their heroes or their role model fight,” Stann commented. “For me, to fight in Fort Bragg, and Fort Bragg is only an hour and 15 minutes away from my old Marine corps base, so a ton of my marines are going to be up there, plus all the young soldiers. That’s like a dream come true to me. Now, I’m fighting in front of my heroes, the people who inspire me.”



Not that Stann will need much more motivation for the fight, he will also move his training camp to New Mexico and work with Greg Jackson and his camp to prepare.



While the fight is Stann’s main focus, he can’t help but talk about the troops that will get the chance to attend the fight and a particular soldier and friend who will be front row and center for the bouts.



“I’ll fight till I’m dead in front of those guys. It’s a lifetime experience right there. I’m really excited. I was already calling a bunch of my Marines,” said Stann.



“One in particular, a guy by the name of Robert Gas, who when we were hit by a suicide vehicle during my first tour and he took some severe shrapnel damage to the head and he had several brain surgeries since then and obviously suffers from severe TBI, and I’m going to be contacting him and getting him cage side seats and flying him up for that.”



Brian Stann will have the honor to fight in front of the men and women of the U.S. military as a part of the UFC Fight for the Troops show on Dec. 10 at Fort Bragg, NC.



For more information on or to donate to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, check out the Fallen Heroes Fund website.
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=7209&zoneid=2

Looks like Brain Stann is finally making his UFC debut.
 
#2 ·
I just read this on another site and I actually thought it was kinda funny. Because when they announced the merger especially with LHW- I didn't think these two belonged in the UFC. Cantwell looked more well-rounded than Stann in their last fight but I dunno how he will do. ATM I don't Stann would very well at all in this division. So I guess the best thing was just to have them fight each other in their UFC debut. I do completely understand the Stann/Marine/Troops angle though. I just don't think I heard one person clamoring for an instant rematch though. :dunno:​
 
#6 ·
I do completely understand the Stann/Marine/Troops angle though.
Exactly, all this is just an angle being used by the UFC and when Stann loses hopefully it will be the last we see of him.
 
#3 ·
They don't belong in the UFC but this is a good fight for the Fight for the Troops card.

As Long as Rhino isn't in the UFC I'll be happy.
 
#5 ·
We all new the LHW division of WEC was moving up to the UFC eventually... I guess Stann and Cantwell are the first.


This is awesome. Will be a great fight for me to watch.
 
#10 ·
Stann was terrible last time out.

I hope Cantwell takes the rubber match.
 
#13 ·
I have always liked Stann. That was reinforced when I met him
at UFC 88. He was nicest fighter that we met!!! He posed for tons of pics and signed many autographs. He walked up and down the sidewalk while we were waiting in line and let people take his pic and signed autographs for them there too.
I realize he isn't as famous as some, but he now has another true diehard fan!

BD
 
#16 · (Edited)
Wow, it's unbelievable the stuff people have said on here.

Brian Stann is not the best fighter, but some people haven't realized that the plan to move the WEC LHW to the UFC has been in place for a while now.

This is the perfect time to do so, since they can have thier LHW champ and former LHW champ fight for the 3rd time and this time being at a Military base.

Stann isn't the best fighter, as he has said so himself. He said he still has many holes in his game and needs to work on them. He is training at Greg Jackson's camp, which isn't a slouch camp obviously.

Can't some people see what this will do for the whole point of this fight?
http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/

It's a fight for the troops and why not have a former LHW champ and WAR hero fight at a base full of military personnel?
Really don't see all the hate for Stann, he's such a great guy.

CPLMAC is right, there are people being cynical in this thread. The motive of this fight is a fight for the troops and to raise money for the fallen heroes fund. Also, it's to bring in the LHW WEC fighters into the UFC and what better way to bring in their WEC champ and former WEC champ for a rubber match, and their former WEC champ being a Marine and a war hero? The whole point for this event is for the troops. The motive behind this is great.
 
#19 ·
So people are being cynical by pointing out the main reason Stann is gonna be fighting in the UFC is that he is a Marine?
It's a fact. The guy isn't very good put him against almost any 205'er in the UFC and he will lose.

So I think most people agree that it makes sense for this card but he isn't a UFC level fighter.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I hope Greg Jackson helps Stann evolve. Stann and Cantwell may not be as refined as many UFC LHW's, but other less impressive people have received MMA notoriety. Gabe R, Kimbo, Tank, and others. If they can't hold their own, they'll be phased out over time.

I respect men of courage who get in the cage; but even more I respect men of courage who will serve and die for their country. I think it's great that Stann will fight in front of the military.
 
#23 ·
Imagine that, two different opinions on the same message board. Okay sarcasm aside, his stand up is his strong suit and it landed him the WEC belt for what that was worth. He's a young relatively inexperienced fighter, will he ever be a UFC champ? Not likely but he has plenty of time to improve and good enough physical abilities to advance.
 
#24 ·
I think in the future he will be good enough to belong in the UFC. But right now I don't think so.

Also being the champion of the WEC LHW divison is like being the smartest retard it doesn't mean all that much.
 
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#27 ·
So BBJD, where does Stann go then if he isn't good enough for you to fight in the UFC? The WEC LHW division is merging with the UFC LHW division, so should they just drop Stann?
 
#28 ·
Honestly if they did it by talent level yes they should just drop Stann.

Now because he is a Marine and that gives him some drawing power of course he's going to be in the UFC.

However I don't think he is close to being ready talent wise right now.
 
#29 ·
Or maybe he has drawing power because he is exciting and fun to watch. Obviously he isn't top 10 or top 20, but he is an exciting fighter and there are some fights that would be interesting for an undercard or first fight on the main card material such as pitting him against Andy Reese.
 
#30 ·
Sry lets be honest there are a ton of exicting fighters who aren't in the UFC.

Andy Reese would walk through Stann. Reese would take him down at will.
 
#31 ·
Sry lets be honest there are a ton of exicting fighters who aren't in the UFC.
Did I say there are not exciting fighters outside of the UFC?

So what is your exact reasoning for not wanting Stann in the UFC? Wouldn't be fair to drop him since they are adding the LHW and MW divisions of the WEC into the UFC.

Andy Reese would walk through Stann. Reese would take him down at will.
If Andy doesn't gas.
 
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