UFC star Stann fighting for fellow vets

Media attention came to Ultimate Fighting Championship star Brian Stann well ahead of schedule in his mixed martial arts career.

Stann was just another undercard fighter at a World Extreme Cagefighting event at the Hard Rock Hotel in early 2007 when his story of heroism spread well beyond the cage.

Even CNN wanted to talk to the fighter, who had earned a Silver Star -- the third-highest award for valor in combat -- for his actions on an Iraqi battlefield where all 42 of his men survived being ambushed.

At some point along the way, Stann's success in the cage started to stand out on its own. He went from a soldier with a heroic tale who happened to be a fighter to a great fighter with an incredible back story.

"I think it was after I beat Steve Cantwell and Rodney Wallace," Stann said of back-to-back wins in late 2009. "I think I was at a point where I was almost out of the UFC. I was on the bubble of getting cut. When that happens, you start to think, 'OK, that's income I'm going to lose to take care of my family. How am I going to make that up? What am I going to do?' I made the decision at that point to train that much harder and go win fights that maybe I wasn't supposed to win."

But Stann lost his next fight to Phil Davis, prompting a decision to move down to middleweight. On Saturday, Stann has a chance to improve to 3-0 at 185 pounds and move up in the rankings by beating Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 at the MGM Grand.

The story of "The All-American" has been told over and over since that 2007 fight at the Hard Rock Hotel. Stann played football at Navy and as a Marine platoon leader earned the Silver Star in 2005 while trying to secure a bridge near Karabilah, Iraq. He even penned a book about his experiences.

While he continues to progress in his fighting career, the 30-year-old has never forgotten the men he fought side by side with on the battlefield.

With each win comes more media exposure, and Stann, one of the most eloquent fighters in the UFC, almost always makes sure to turn the focus to those serving their country.

"I think it's important for anyone in an entertainment industry to dedicate their life to giving back," Stann said. "I decided if they're going to give me all this attention, there's nothing I can do about it, so I might as well use it for the betterment of those veterans."

Stann does more than just give the issue lip service.

He is the president of Hire Heroes USA, a foundation aimed at integrating returning military personnel back into society. Stann also spent Wednesday afternoon promoting the Boot Campaign, another charity with a similar purpose.

"I want to be the best, but along the way, I'm going to remember who I am and where I came from. This sport is a great platform for any fighter to get a lot of marketing and a lot of attention, and I don't know any better way to use that other than charity and for the things I'm really passionate about," he said.

Even Santiago, a top-10 middleweight who is making his return to the UFC after going 11-1 in other organizations since being cut in 2006, respects everything Stann has done with his career.

"I'm fighting a true American hero," he said, while pointing out the fight will take place on Memorial Day weekend.

Not everyone is so supportive.

Stann said despite the outpouring of support, he still has to deal with those who don't appreciate how outspoken he is about his military service.

"I get some hate mail and some hate tweets," he said. "Some people just don't like me, and that's fine. That's their absolute God-given right. But I've chosen to live my life a certain way, and that's to give back and memorialize those guys I served with in every action I do."

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.