Brian Stann: I'm mentally stronger than any other fighter in the UFC
Posted on October 4, 2011, 09:37 AM by Anton GurevichIn an exclusive interview with MMAMania.com, fan-favorite Brian Stann discussed a wide array of topics ahead of his clash with Chael Sonnen at this weekend's UFC 136.
Answering on question whether Chael Sonnen's unusually warm feelings may be a part of the Oregonian's psychological warfare, Stann declared himself as the mentally strongest fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, adding that the mutual respect with Sonnen is absolutely genuine. Brian Stann also spoke about the improvements he made since the victory over former Sengoku Middleweight Champion Jorge Santiago, and what fans can expect from this weekend's Hero vs. Anti-Hero clash:
"Nobody can mess with my mind. I'm stronger than any fighter in the UFC mentally. I think that having spoken with Chael, literally two weeks before we were matched up to face each other, I think his feelings are genuine and I think when he does dislike a guy, he's genuine about it. He's simply the kind of guy who says things that are on his mind. he doesn't hold back.
Man if you think that fight (vs. Massenzio) was Brian Stann 2.0, I am leaps and bounds better than that fighter. That was over a year ago and I am 10 times better than that fighter now and I have a very well-rounded submission game from working with my jiu-jitsu coach Roberto Traven who's one of the best in the world. I've been training with him for years and in between fights I put a gi on and I train gi jiu-jitsu. I did several gi jiu-jitsu training camps with his team for the world Pan Am games so I feel very well prepared to fight off my back and do the things I'm gonna have to do for this fight.
My wrestling has grown by leaps and bounds and this fight is gonna be an opportunity for me to showcase some of those things. I feel that I am the best prepared opponent Chael will have had in years. I think a lot of the guys watching his fights, they went in there and they really focused on what they were doing and they didn't focus on things he was really good at and they weren't prepared for some of the positions he put them in."
Brian Stann is currently 11-3 in his MMA campaign, enjoying a three-fight winning streak. Stann's last defeats came from the hands of Phil Davis (Light Heavyweight bout), who outwrestled the Marine en route to a Unanimous Decision victory. The last man to finish Brian Stann was "The Polish Experiment" Krzysztof Soszynski, via Kimura, more than two years ago back at UFC 97. Brian Stann is currently unbeaten at Middleweight.
Comments
His fight with Santiago wasn't over 1 year ago.... that was like 5 months ago, i'm confused...
you shoudn't be confused, the man likes to fight and for him it seems that is more than a year, since the last time he steped in the cage, but the reallity is, that he fought Leben less than a year ago.
My bad, he was talking about Massenzio
Thanks man, now I feel l'm the one that brings confusion, not to talk about all the weaks I gonna get.:)
This is such a hard fight to predict and a hard one to choose sides.
i been saying Stann is the next big thing at middleweight , and i really believe he is , he has the potential and the hard work to do it.
On the other side i am a hardcore fan of Chael Sonnen the man is a warrior and comes to fight 100% everytime!
I have a feeling that Stann may take this one by TKO before Sonnen decide to take him down , but if not and Sonnen goes for the ground right away he may be lucky enough to avoid the submissions and get a similar win decision like the Nate Marquardt fight. I like Stann but im leaning a little bit more to cheer for Sonnen just to see the rematch vs Silva.
lets see if Stann doesnt catch Sonnen first with those heavy hands.
Really excited for this one.
I gotta go with Chael here.
Anderson and Marquardt couldn't knock him out, so I don't think Stann will be able to... and I think the TKO is his only chance at winning.
Dude only needs to practice his triangles.
Feed him to Cain...
people like you make me angry, dont know if ur kidding or jus dumb..
How can anyone hate Stann? The man is an American hero, well spoken, and respectful. He is true champion material. This should be a great fight.
I don't hate Stann .. but he really gets on my nerves.
He always says how mentally tough he is and then he turns around and breaks down at the end of every fight.
Not saying it's an act or anything .. just tired of seeing him ball his eyes out all the time ...
These fights are not wars, nobody gets killed, your all millionaires, .... There are plenty of Vets that have it a whole lot worse and have seen the same sights of war as Brian Stann.
Kind of understood in the beginning .. just coming out of the war. But its years later dude. Stann gonna be crying after every fight 5yrs from now?
Let the weaks fall like rain
I somehow agree with you, IMO feel he is just using the whole Vet thing to ride on the fans, and the UFC are just milking it. He is just a bit too goody goody for me and look forward to Chael getting that win. He got mad skillz though in the cage its just his "Look at me, I'm a war vet" I cant stand
Yeah, dumbass. Have you heard about the statements and dedications Stann makes after his fights? He fights for his buddies. For his troops. For those men he led. You would never understand in your arm-chair analyses, but people are emotional when they promise something which requires arduous efforts and they achieve it.
You're also conflating his mental stability with his emotional stability. People are emotional; that's what makes them human. If you see Stann train before fights, he's very stoic and doesn't "mess around". After a win though, what's wrong with being *emotionally* exuberant?
Stop spouting such tripe and go take a class or two.
same here. i think a true war hero wouldnt be saying or making people how much of a war hero he is
not to disrespect the guy, hes done lots of good and has great skills in and out of the cage
Now what would you consider him being COCKY OR CONFIDENT,, remember this question about last weeks opponent... I believe this being a confident guy, but when Jon Jones was being this way everyone was calling him ****y......... really not right....