UFC fighters see different side of combat with 178th MPs

By Spc. Candace Le, 89th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs Office

FORT HOOD, Texas - Six Ultimate Fighting Championship combatants joined 178th Military Police detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade for a range and military police demonstrations Jan. 21 here.

The mixed martial artists were here to compete in the UFC "Fight for the Troops," which was recorded live from West Fort Hood Jan. 23.

Throughout their morning with the 178th, the fighters watched and participated in a military working dog bite demonstration, taser target practice and ranges with the M9 semi-automatic pistol and M4 semi-automatic carbine rifle.

Each of the fighters was paired up with a Soldier from the 178th to coach them through training stations. Seeing the celebrities in real-life as opposed to on screen was not a huge shock for them either. Soldiers clicked with their partners quickly since they had a similar fighter mentality.

"I've only seen them on T.V., so it was pretty cool," said Sgt. Travis Johnson, 178th MP Det. military police investigator. "They're pretty down to earth. They just wanted to go shoot some guns."

"It was fun to interact with Soldiers, hanging out with the guys that fight for our country," Frankie Edgar, "The Answer" said. "They're competitive, like myself."

The UFC fighters seemed just as enthusiastic about meeting the Soldiers as the Soldiers felt about meeting a few of their favorite athletes.

"We came here to learn the way you live your lives and look at your world," Dominick Cruz, "The Dominator", said.

"We get to meet some of the people who make life in this country possible," Jim Miller. "We enjoy fighting for them and we're thankful they fight for us."

After the training was concluded, all the Soldiers who were helping with the event received autographs and took pictures with the fighters at a meet and greet.

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PHOTO CUTLINES:

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Matt Serra and his fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship combatants don personal protective equipment for a range conducted by the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade January 21, 2011 at Fort Hood, Texas. As part of their time at Hood for the "Fight for the Troops" show, the UFC fighters joined MPs to learn about tasers, military working dogs, the M9 semi-automatic pistol and the M4 semi-automatic carbine rifle. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Candace Le)

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Chuck Liddel, ultimate fighting championship superstar, looks at the M9 semi-automatic pistol in preparation for a range ran by the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade January 21, 2011 at Fort Hood, Texas. Liddel and the five other UFC fighters who attended the range got the chance to work side-by-side with a Soldier throughout the entire training. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Candace Le)

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Brian Stann, Ultimate Fighting Championship combatant and former Marine, tries to stay on two feet while being a part of a military working dog demonstration for the other UFC fighters, guests and 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade Soldiers January 21, 2011 at Fort Hood, Texas. Each of the fighters also got the chance to shoot a taser, M9 semi-automatic pistol, and M4 semi-automatic carbine rifle. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Candace Le)

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Sgt. Nathan Bissonette, 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade military police investigator, gives thumbs up to signal that Dominick Cruz, Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter, is ready to fire the M4 semi-automatic carbine rifle January 21, 2011 at Fort Hood, Texas. Cruz and five other UFC superstars fought in the "Fight for the Troops" here later that week to show their support for the U.S. Armed Forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Candace Le)

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Matt Serra, Ultimate Fighting Championship combatant fires a taser with fellow UFC fighters and the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade January 21, 2011 at Fort Hood, Texas. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Candace Le)

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Members of the Ultimate Fighting Championships and the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade pose for a picture after a morning at the range January 21, 2011 at Fort Hood, Texas. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Candace Le)