Just one week after the 65th anniversary of D-Day, Ranger Up’s Dale Hartt is set to clash with German kickboxer Dennis Siver at UFC 99 in Cologne this weekend. This is the first foray by the UFC into mainland Europe and wil be a test of their longevity on the continent. Hartt, who we sponsored for his last fight against Corey Hill at UFC’s Fight for the Troops in December, 2008, did a tour of duty with the US Navy as an electronics specialist where he got an education in things to do when sailors get bored. “Half your time on a ship is spent cleaning and shining brass for fun. Oh and painting,” Hartt says.
Hartt is coming off a win over Corey Hill that featured the ugliest injury in MMA. When Hill threw a low kick, Hartt checked it with his shin and snapped Hill’s leg, which then wrapped gruesomely around Hartt’s leg. Watching it made you feel your own legs to make sure they weren’t broken by association. Hartt’s opponent this weekend won’t be so fragile. Dennis Siver is a German kickboxer with 7 submissions to his credit, but he’s also been inconsistent lately, going 3-3 in his last six fights. After his only loss to Shanon Gugerty last year (by rear naked choke), Hartt moved to Las Vegas to train at Cobra Kai jiu jitsu with renowned grappler Marc Laimon. “My back defense stinks, and they’re simply the best at that I have ever seen,” he says.
Hartt will also have Secret Weapon X in his corner-RU Nick. Nick was stationed in Germany (when it was still dangerous!) and felt the need to conduct a pilgrimage back there to support his fighter. He’s even taken a vow not to drink beer or live wild stories that he’ll tell on the Rhino Den just so he can focus on supporting Dale. Way to take one for the team, Nick!
