Brian Stann Takes WEC Belt - MMAUniverse.com

Brian Stann knocked out former champion Doug Marshall Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to become the World Extreme Cagefighting. Stann decked Marshall with a left hook in the first round, then followed up with a barrage of strikes which forced the referee to intervene. The upset victory delighted the crowd at World Extreme Cagefighting 33: Filho vs Sonnen 2.

Stann is destined to become a huge favourite with American fans because of his day job. Brian Stann is a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has completed two tours of duty in Iraq. Many fans and pundits talk of fights in the Octagon as though they are life and death struggles. Stann knows all about the real thing. In 2005, Stann earned a Silver Star — the military's third-highest award for "gallantry in action" — when Iraqi insurgents ambushed Stann's company when it tried to secure a bridge near Karabilah, a city northwest of Baghdad near the Syrian border. Forty-two Marines withstood rocket-propelled grenades, suicide attacks and gunfire for six days. Brian Stann told USA Today about the experience:

"We were hit with a tremendous amount of adversity. The great thing for me is that I'm a U.S. Marine, and the guys with me were U.S. Marines. They executed. When you're pinned down in a spot like that, sometimes you put your head down and force your way out. You can't always pitch a shutout in war. Sometimes, you have to call an audible."

After such an ordeal - Stann does not get carried away with the hype surrounding MMA. He believes that his life in the military gives him an edge when it comes to competition.

"On a base this big, people come from all walks of life. We have some phenomenal wrestlers, boxers, kick boxers and jiu-jitsu fighters here. Many are dedicated. It might not be world class but they are good. The biggest thing they bring to the table is their mind-set. In this community, you're not allowed to have a bad day. You can't go at 50%."

Stann went on to tell USA Today - that the process is a two way street. He feels that martial arts training has been of benefit to his career as a marine.

"It focused on ethics, and it also helped prepare me for the fog of war and the intensity and anxiety of war. That helped me for combat, and combat has helped me fight in the cage."

Brian Stann made his WEC debut in January 2006 at World Extreme Cagefighting 21: Tap Out. It only took him sixteen seconds of the first round to stop Miguel Cosio. Two months later, Steve Cantwell also failed to get past the first minute at World Extreme Cagefighting 26: Condit vs Alessio. A trend was set and so far, up to and including his title win, no one has managed to last a round in the WEC Octagon with Stann.

Brian Stann has yet to be seriously tested in a pro fight. He looks set to become a major star in the world of MMA.