UFC middleweight Brian Stann is a really good fighter, but he’s so much more than that.
Stann is a bona fide American war hero. This is a man who, if he were involved in any other mainstream sport, would be a gigantic superstar simply because of his background as a Marine officer.
I’m sure you’ve heard the story by now, so there’s no need to rehash the whole thing. But the basics: Stann was a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and commanded the 2nd Mobile Assault Platoon of the 2nd Marines division. During Operation Matador outside of Karabilah, Iraq, Stann’s platoon came under fire by insurgents.
The Marines, under Stann’s direction, held out behind enemy lines for six days before being relieved. Stann coordinated air and tank attacks and was awarded the Silver Star for valor in combat.
Stann will detail the entire incident on Tuesday night’s episode of UFC Ultimate Insider, which airs at 10:30 p.m. ET on Fuel TV. It’s a harrowing look at the past of one of the UFC’s brightest stars.
Stann may not ever reach the championship pinnacle in the UFC, but it doesn’t matter. This is a man who is well spoken, highly intelligent and versed in just about any subject you can throw at him. I’ve long considered him the most marketable star on the UFC’s roster, and his recent appearance as a color commentator proved that he can excel in any area.
This is a fighter who could someday run for President. That’s not a joke, either. Stann will succeed in anything life throws at him, and he’ll do so admirably.
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