The cool Iraq night breeze washed across my neck and left a fine residue of sand as I watched SFC Blair rally up the men under his command. They were about to go on a mission and he needed to make sure they all had their weapons, ammo, armor, night vision and other sensitive items before they headed outside the wire into the dangerous Iraqi streets. The six men had just fought brutal mixed martial arts fights in front of 4000 screaming troops. Three of them had fought to a decision, meaning they had been beating each other senseless for fifteen full minutes. Professional fighters generally spend the night after a fight eating and heading to an afterparty – these heroes had to skip dinner to get back to the mission. Even for a former infantryman, this was a terribly humbling experience.
- Excerpt from a soon to be published article by Nick Palmisciano on the first MMA event ever in a combat zone
Folks, Ranger Up recently had the amazing opportunity to sponsor and help execute the first MMA fight ever in a combat zone. The effort was headed up by Monica Sanford, the wfie of a Marine LTC, and herself a BJJ blackbelt who specializes in training Marines for combat. The event featured three pro fights and fourteen amateur fights, and required superhuman efforts on the parts of many veterans and military supporters to pull off. In the end, we were able to entertain over 4000 troops in the city of Mosul, Iraq for what was truly one of the most amazing events I have ever been a part of.
This event was important to me for two reasons:
The first is obvious – Ranger Up exists above all else to give back to the military community. The fact that we were able to meaningfully contribute to boys and girls in uniform, if only for one night, was an amazing experience and we’ll do it anytime we are given the chance.
The second is that we believe it is essential to highlight the value of MMA to the military community. Despite the fact that the Marine Corps and Army Combatives Programs have significant evidence that they save lives in combat, there are a lot of assclowns that are trying to kill the programs. They want to kill them and replace them with antiquated bullshit like we used to have when our hand-to-hand combat skill sucked proverbial ass. The notion is absurd to actual warfighters, but there are still many folks (certainly not all, and we salute those that have supported the box-shattering spirit of our brothers in arms who have pushed the modern programs through, despite all obstacles) who believe MMA is of little value to the military…mostly because they don’t understand it.
Along those lines, James Hergott and Rick Lee have undertaken a video that they hope to see on the big screen. I will be writing about this often as we help them get this film in front of the audience that we at Ranger Up believe it deserves. To be honest, we don’t yet know all the ways that you can help in this endeavor, but in the short term, you can do three things:
1) Email Donovan Craig from Fight! magazine at: donovan@fightmagazine.com and Bobby Razak from Tap Out at: bobbyrazak@hotmail.com and thank them for Fight! and TapouT’s respective help with supporting the military by making this film.
As usual, we appreciate any original comments, but here’s the skeleton for you uncreative but still motivated folks:
Donovan/Bobby,
Thank you so much for supporting our troops through the support of James Hergott and Rick Lee’s “A Fight for the Troops” documentary. Your efforts are making a big difference in the lives of our military heroes and we hope you continue your support these men as they endeavor to get this in front of the audience it deserves.
In addition, Ranger Up rules.
Respectfully,
YOUR NAME HERE
2) If you have a blog, please post this. Let’s face it people, these guys need military support to get this done and done right.
3) Email the link to your friends.
4) Leave a comment of support BELOW so we can showcase military support to potential investors!!! We want this film to be made!
As always, thank you for supporting our troops. You guys have always been awesome in making things happen, whether it was getting Tim Kennedy the opportunity to fight for the Army, or raising money for wounded soldiers, or getting girls to take pictures for charity, you’ve knocked it out of the park. Let’s get this movie made and made right!
If you listen close, you’ll hear one sexy SOB in the film…okay, that’s not true, but you’ll hear me…
Retired Master Sergeant, Former 3d Ranger BN (87-93), These programs now in place are what we were looking for back then, Stan McCrystal was the battalion liaison officer & battalion operations officer he’s the one that got the army program started when he commanded 2d Ranger battalion, and let Matt Larsen run wild. Let’s keep moving forward not back. RLTW
Alright, bud. Posted on my wife’s blog.
Nick,
You ROCK! Keep up the good work, this movie needs to be made. You’re doing awesome things with this publicity. I’m glad I met you and that you support my friend Tim.
The first guy that was talking was 1SG Daniels. He was with 3rd Battalion then got out I guess. I didn’t meet him until RIP when he was a tabbed E4 and our class leader. Went to 2nd Battalion, but I knew he missed 3rd Bat.
This site ROCKS!! Anything for the soldiers is a good thing and this movie needs to be made! I was at 2nd Batt. When our BC McCrystal and then Staff Sgt Larsen started the combatives program. It is a life saving education for all! I’m on board with it “all the way” Keep up the good work!
RLTW
Yeah, I’m going through Air Force combat skills training right now and just before I got here they pulled combatives out. I’m a bit salty about that…
If you could throw a plug in for your fellow Airmen (and heck, the seamen too), Please do! Were running around out there with you and could use at least SOME of those needed skills!
First, thank you! to the MMA for going on over there for our guys and gals!
I’m not a soldier but the mom of two soldiers. We need more of this type of film so the rest of America can see how awesome our Finest are and what they are doing while we sleep safely in our beds at home.
As I write this, Balloon Boy is again on the news for the third day ~ ’nuff said.
Great work! HooAhh!
Great work very proud to discover Nick from Ranger Up was on the vid, their apparel speaks directly to this retired jarhead and they’re an outstanding company. I can’t wait for this to be released, I hope you’ve got outstanding distribution. Very touching reaction from Mrs Monica Sanford, she must be an amazing lady. As always hats off to our brave men and women serving in Harm’s Way. God speed.
See some of our stuff before and they were so shy. Making videos is more difficult than you think. Off camera Jared knows more about MMA than most people. Experience just how to convey to the camera. Give him a chance.
Thanks for sharing your article. I really enjoyed it. I put a link to my site to here so other people can read it. My readers have about the same interets
Good to see the sport getting involved and giving something back to the community. Well done!