Brian Stann
Brian Stann | “All-American”
Ht: 6’1 – Wt: 185 – Age: 32
Born: Yokota Airbase, Japan
Fights out of: Scranton, PA, USA
Team: Jackson’s MMA
Overall Record: 12-5
UFC Record: 6-4
Background:
Brian Stann entered mixed martial arts following a decorated career in the armed forces. Stann made his MMA debut in 2006 where he defeated veteran Aaron Stark via 1st round TKO. Stann soon signed with the WEC and immediately began racking up victories, quickly amassing a 5-0 record, including a win over Steve Cantwell. Stann moved on to defeat Doug Marshall for the WEC light heavyweight championship in 2008, successfully knocking Marshall out in the opening minutes of the fight. Stann would not hold onto the belt long as he was defeated by Cantwell a few months later. The WEC light heavyweight division was soon absorbed by the UFC where Stann made his official UFC debut against Krzysztof Soszynski. Stann was unable to fend off Soszynski’s patented kimura, losing via submission. Stann bounced back with wins over Cantwell and Rodney Wallace before losing a unanimous decision to Phil Davis where Stann struggled against Davis’ wrestling and strength. Following the loss to Davis, Stann decided to drop down to the middleweight division. Stann made a successful middleweight debut as he scored a 3rd round submission over Mike Massenzio, winning Fight of the Night honors in the process. Stann was quickly moved into a marquee fight opposite heavy-hitter Chris Leben at UFC 125. Stann scored the mild upset by finishing Leben via 1st round TKO. Stann capitalized on his momentum by defeating veteran Jorge Santiago moving him one step closer towards title contention. Stann moved on to face former title contender Chael Sonnen at UFC 136. Stann was unable to stop Sonnen’s takedowns, eventually losing via 2nd round submission.
2011 Breakdown:
Stann fought 3 times in 2011, going 2-1 overall.
Stann began the year by facing hard-hitter Chris Leben at UFC 125. Leben was coming in on a solid 3-fight win streak and was considered the slight favorite heading into the bout. Stann was willing to test his striking skills against Leben as they cautiously tried to find their range. Once the fight moved into the clinch, they both started exchanging big uppercuts. As they broke, Stann connected on some clean shots that had Leben rocked. Leben tried to fight through it, but Stann eventually forced the ref to step in and stop the fight.
Stann moved on to face returning veteran Jorge Santiago at UFC 130. Stann seemed to be head-hunting early as he flashed his rapidly improving striking skills. Midway through the round, Stann rocked Santiago with a huge left hand that nearly stopped the fight. Santiago held on as Stann was unable to score the finish. In the 2nd round, Santiago went looking for the takedown, but Stann was able to keep him at bay with leg kicks and big punches. Stann eventually landed a right hand that put Santiago down, quickly following up with a barrage of punches to force the referee stoppage.
Stann was possibly on the verge of a title shot, but first had to defeat former title contender Chael Sonnen at UFC 136. Stann’s takedown defense and ground game proved no match for Sonnen. Sonnen was able to easily close the distance and repeatedly wrestle Stann down to the floor. Stann tried to catch Sonnen with strikes while standing, but Sonnen wisely moved the fight into the clinch. Sonnen eventually submitted Stann with an arm triangle after mounting him in both rounds.
2012 Forecast:
Stann was nearly on his way towards earning a title shot in 2011, but his lack of grounds skills came back to haunt him. Stann’s career will likely come down to how quickly he can develop his overall wrestling and grappling skills. His recent losses have all come to stronger grapplers. Stann has shown improved takedown defense, but he simply has to do a better job of maintaining his distance. Stann is fully capable of knocking anyone out, but against the likes of Sonnen, Munoz, Okami, etc. he is going to struggle to stay off his back. Stann trains out of Greg Jackson’s, so he has the tools and the coaching to round out his game in hopes of making another run towards the title. Stann’s military background makes him a prime candidate for a title push if he can eventually put all the pieces together.
Brian Stann Fight Record
Overall Record: 11-4
2008-2011 Record: 6-4
2011 Record: 2-1
Loss | Chael Sonnen | Sub | Rd 2 | UFC | 10/08/2011
Win | Jorge Santiago | Tko | Rd 2 | UFC | 05/28/2011
Win | Chris Leben | Tko | Rd 1 | UFC | 01/01/2011
2010 Record: 1-1
Win | Mike Massenzio | Sub | Rd 3 | UFC | 08/01/2010
Loss | Phil Davis | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 02/06/2010
2009 Record: 2-1
Win | Rodney Wallace | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 12/05/2009
Win | Steve Cantwell | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 09/16/2009
Loss | Krzysztof Soszynski | Sub | Rd 1 | UFC | 04/18/2009
2008 Record: 1-1
Loss | Steve Cantwell | Tko | Rd 2 | WEC | 08/03/2008
Win | Doug Marshall | KO | Rd 1 | WEC | 03/26/2008
