Wiesbaden hosts Army Combatives contest, UFC fighters

WIESBADEN, Germany - Soldiers were at each other's throats for the chance of being crowned champions by Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters April 28.

Soldiers representing various units in the Wiesbaden community competed all day in a double elimination Modern Army Combatives Tournament in Wiesbaden Fitness Center hosted by the 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion.

"It's training disguised as friendly competition," said U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Command Sgt. Maj. Hector Prince.

The mixed martial arts competition, an Army training program that has four levels of competency, was introduced in Fort Benning, Ga., as a counter approach to traditional training offering Soldiers combat fighting techniques.

"The wanted a form of man-to-man combat that worked," said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Bishop, 307th Military Intelligence Battalion, and level four certified training administrator. "It attacks many different disciplines, instills maximum confidence in the troops and offers a realistic type of training that teaches Soldiers how to close with the enemy and finish the fight."

The day-long fights wrapped up with four action-packed finals. Winners included 1st Armored Division's Spc. Paul Sirk defeating 1st AD's Capt. Brian Adamson in the cruiserweight class, 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion's Staff Sgt. Oscar Narvaez beating 501st Military Police Company's Spc. Andrew Hartford in the lightweight division, Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Sgt. 1st Class Jon Craig defeating fellow DTRAer Staff Sgt. Randy Hutchison and 501st MP Spc. Josh Locke taking down fellow 501st MP Spc. Cody Martin in the heavyweight class.

And while the spoils went to the victors, those who fell short still gathered a few tips for the road ahead.

"Today helped a lot. ... It's all about technique. Technique is better than anything," said Spc Ricardo Montalvan Alamo, 212th Military Police Company, and level one combative trained, who finished third in the heavyweight class and said he has given consideration to pursuing a career in UFC. "I'm trying my hardest to learn as much as I can from the NCOs."

As the competition had its fill of punch and sting, the bonus for mix martial arts fans was the visit from UFC fighters Jon Finch, Dan Hardy and Mike Swick, and octagon Girl Edith Labelle, who presented the tournament awards and held an autograph session for fans.

"You guys are the real heroes," said UFC welterweight fighter Mike Swick, while addressing the crowd in the Wiesbaden Fitness Center. "What you do impacts our lives a lot. I just wanted to say thank you."

"There's not enough that we could do to thank you for the hard jobs that you do," added fellow UFC fighter Jon Fitch.

"They've shown us a lot of support coming to the post. ... It's a big thing," said Sgt. Peter Morales, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, who said he has been a fan since the late 1990s. "Half of these Soldiers want to do this for a living."

"That guy is an artist," said Vinnie Carlucci, Jiu-Jitsu instructor, about Fitch. "He fights with a lot of heart, and when he executes technique it's truly textbook.

The UFC fighters were in town en route to Cologne for competition June 13 at the Lanxess Arena where Swick and Hardy will compete on the main card. ID cardholders can attend the June 12 pre-fight activities that include the weigh-ins, autograph and question and answer sessions for free.