Brian Stann

Brian Stann
Born	Brian Michael Stann 24 9, 1980
Birthplace	Fussa, Tokyo, Japan
Nationality	American
Occupation	Former mixed martial artist, former U.S. Marine officer, sports commentator
Known for	WEC Light Heavyweight Champion, Silver Star recipient, UFC competitor
Education	United States Naval Academy
Awards	Silver Star, WEC Light Heavyweight Championship
Website	[http://www.brianstann.com/ Official site]

Brian Michael Stann (born September 24, 1980) is an American former mixed martial artist, retired United States Marine Corps officer, and sports commentator. Known by his nickname "The All-American," Stann competed professionally in mixed martial arts from 2006 to 2013, fighting in both the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) across the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He held the WEC Light Heavyweight Championship and compiled a professional record of 12 wins and 6 losses, with nine of his victories coming by knockout. Before entering the world of professional fighting, Stann served as a captain in the United States Marine Corps, seeing combat during the Iraq War, where he was awarded the Silver Star — one of the highest decorations for valor in the U.S. military — for his actions during the Battle of Al Qaim. His transition from decorated combat veteran to professional fighter and later to a career as a color commentator for the UFC and ACC football games on Fox Sports Net made him one of the more distinctive figures in the sport during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Early Life

Brian Michael Stann was born on September 24, 1980, in Fussa, Tokyo, Japan, a city adjacent to Yokota Air Base, suggesting a connection to the American military community stationed there. He grew up with a strong sense of discipline and service, values that would shape both his military career and his later pursuits in professional athletics. Stann eventually settled in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which he listed as his fighting base throughout his MMA career.

Education

Stann attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he was a member of the football team. His time at the Naval Academy provided the foundation for his commission as an officer in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation. The rigorous academic and physical training at the Academy prepared him for the demands of both military combat and, later, professional fighting.

Military Career

Following his graduation from the United States Naval Academy, Stann was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He served on active duty from 2003 to 2008, reaching the rank of captain.

Stann was assigned to the 2nd Mobile Assault Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, and deployed to Iraq as part of the broader U.S. military operations during the Iraq War. He participated in the Battle of Al Qaim, a significant engagement in western Iraq's Al Qaim region near the Syrian border, an area that served as an important insurgent corridor during the conflict.

For his actions during combat in Iraq, Stann was awarded the Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration for valor in the United States Armed Forces. The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States, and its bestowal upon Stann underscored the extraordinary nature of his service during intense combat operations. His military decorations and his reputation as a combat leader became a significant part of his public identity when he later transitioned to professional mixed martial arts.

Stann left active duty in 2008, having served five years as a Marine officer. His military background earned him the enduring nickname "The All-American," which he carried throughout his fighting career and which resonated with fans and media covering the sport.

Career

World Extreme Cagefighting (2006–2009)

Stann began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2006, competing in the light heavyweight division of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), a promotion owned by Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC. His transition from active-duty military service to professional fighting was notable and attracted media attention, with outlets such as the Marine Corps Times profiling his unusual career path.

During his time in the WEC, Stann captured the WEC Light Heavyweight Championship, establishing himself as one of the top fighters in the promotion's 205-pound division. His aggressive, knockout-oriented fighting style made him a fan favorite, and his combination of military service and athletic achievement gave him a unique profile among professional fighters.

The WEC eventually shut down its light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, a move that affected several fighters on the roster, including Stann. As a result of this consolidation and Zuffa's management of both promotions, Stann transitioned to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (2009–2013)

Light Heavyweight Debut and Early UFC Bouts

Stann made his UFC debut in the light heavyweight division. His first bout in the organization was against Rodney Wallace at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. The matchup marked Stann's introduction to the UFC's larger audience and served as a proving ground for his ability to compete at the sport's highest level.

Stann was subsequently matched against Phil Davis at UFC 109, a bout that represented a significant step up in competition. Davis, a highly regarded prospect with an elite wrestling pedigree, presented a different kind of challenge for the knockout-oriented Stann.

Move to Middleweight

In 2010, Stann moved down to the middleweight division (185 pounds), a transition that would define the most successful stretch of his UFC career. One of his early middleweight bouts was scheduled against Mike Massenzio at UFC on Versus 2.

Stann continued to build momentum at 185 pounds, showcasing his trademark power and aggressive striking. He faced Jorge Santiago at UFC 130, a bout that was officially confirmed as Santiago signed a UFC deal for the matchup.

One of Stann's most high-profile middleweight bouts was a matchup against Chael Sonnen, one of the most prominent and polarizing figures in the sport at the time. The bout was targeted for UFC 136 in Houston, Texas, representing a significant step up in profile for Stann and an opportunity to establish himself as a contender in the division.

UFC on Fuel TV 2: Knockout of Alessio Sakara

Stann was matched against Alessio Sakara at UFC on Fuel TV 2, held in Sweden. The bout was significant for the manner in which Stann secured the victory — he knocked out Sakara and then, in an act of sportsmanship that drew widespread attention, stopped the fight himself rather than continuing to land blows on his downed opponent. This moment of restraint and respect for his opponent became one of the most memorable highlights of Stann's career and reinforced his reputation as a fighter of unusual character and integrity.

Hector Lombard Bout

Following his knockout of Sakara, Stann was targeted to face Hector Lombard in the main event of UFC on Fox 4 in Los Angeles, a matchup that would have represented one of the biggest fights of Stann's career. However, Stann was forced to withdraw from the main event due to an injury, disrupting what had been a successful run at middleweight.

Michael Bisping and Final Bouts

Stann was booked to face Michael Bisping at UFC 152 on September 22, 2012, in Toronto. Bisping, a perennial top-ten middleweight and one of the most experienced fighters in the UFC, represented a significant test for Stann.

Return to Light Heavyweight and Final Fight

Stann's final fight took place at UFC on Fuel TV 8, held in Japan, where he headlined the card against Wanderlei Silva. For this bout, Stann moved back up to the light heavyweight division at 205 pounds, though he stated that the move to light heavyweight was a one-time occurrence for this particular fight.

The bout against Silva, a legendary figure in the sport, was one of the most anticipated fights on the card. The matchup between the decorated American military veteran and the iconic Brazilian fighter provided a compelling narrative that drew significant attention to the event. Following this fight, Stann retired from professional mixed martial arts competition in 2013, concluding a career that spanned seven years and produced a record of 12 wins and 6 losses.

Fighting Style and Record

Throughout his career, Stann was known primarily as a striker with significant knockout power. Of his 12 professional victories, nine came by way of knockout, one by submission, and two by decision. His six losses were evenly distributed, with two coming by knockout, two by submission, and two by decision. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall with a 74-inch reach, Stann possessed physical attributes well-suited to fighting at both middleweight and light heavyweight. He trained out of Jackson's Submission Fighting (later Jackson-Wink MMA Academy) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one of the most prominent training camps in the sport.

Broadcasting Career

Following his retirement from active competition in 2013, Stann transitioned into a career in sports broadcasting. He served as a color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, providing analysis and commentary during UFC events. His knowledge of the sport, combined with his experience as a former professional fighter and his articulate communication style, made him a natural fit for the broadcast booth. In addition to his work with the UFC, Stann served as a commentator for ACC football games on Fox Sports Net, broadening his media career beyond the world of combat sports.

Personal Life

Stann has maintained a relatively private personal life outside of his public roles as a fighter and commentator. He has been based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for much of his professional career. His identity as both a combat veteran and professional athlete has been central to his public persona, and he has spoken publicly about the values of service and discipline that he carried from his military career into the world of professional sports.

Recognition

Stann's combination of military service and athletic achievement brought him a level of recognition that extended beyond the typical profile of a professional mixed martial artist. His receipt of the Silver Star for valor during combat operations in Iraq was the most significant honor of his military career and one that continued to define his public identity throughout his time as a professional fighter.

Within the sport of mixed martial arts, Stann's tenure as WEC Light Heavyweight Champion represented his most significant competitive achievement. His knockout of Alessio Sakara at UFC on Fuel TV 2, during which he voluntarily stopped his own attack after knocking his opponent down, was celebrated as an example of sportsmanship and received extensive coverage in MMA media.

His profile as a Silver Star recipient competing at the highest levels of professional fighting made him a frequent subject of media profiles. The Marine Corps Times and other military-oriented publications covered his transition from active-duty service to professional fighting, while mainstream MMA media regularly highlighted his military background as an integral part of his story.

Legacy

Brian Stann's career bridged two demanding fields — military combat and professional fighting — in a manner that few athletes have replicated. His service as a Marine officer in Iraq, culminating in the award of the Silver Star, established a foundation of credibility and respect that he carried into the octagon. While his professional fighting record of 12–6 placed him among competitive fighters rather than among champions at the UFC level, his impact on the sport extended beyond wins and losses.

His conduct during fights, particularly his voluntary cessation of attack against Sakara, provided a counterpoint to the perception of MMA as an excessively violent sport and demonstrated that discipline and restraint could coexist with the competitive intensity required at the highest levels of the sport. His transition to broadcasting after retirement allowed him to remain a visible figure in the MMA community, contributing to the sport's presentation and growth as a mainstream athletic endeavor.

Stann's career trajectory — from the Naval Academy to the battlefields of Iraq to the WEC championship to the UFC and ultimately to the broadcast booth — represented an unusual and multifaceted path that drew attention from audiences well beyond the traditional MMA fanbase. His story was frequently cited in discussions about the character and backgrounds of professional fighters and about the broader cultural significance of combat sports in American life.