
Brian Stann, right, misses on a kick during his victory against Mike Massenzio at UFC on Versus 2. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Sometimes, it’s how you win.
Former Marine Brian Stann needed a victory in a bad way last night to keep his UFC career moving forward. He got the win, and in doing so proved he’s more than a one-dimensional striker. Stann submitted Mike Massenzio — a more experienced ground fighter — at UFC on Versus 2 to win his debut in the 185-pound weight class. The win via triangle choke was Stann’s first career victory by submission, and helped him bounce back from a tough loss to wrestling specialist Phil Davis back in February.
Making the win all the more sweet was the fact that apparently the Stann-Massenzio matchup was a helluva brawl (I wouldn’t know for sure since Versus didn’t show it). The three-round donnybrook was picked at “Fight of the Night” — an honor that comes along with a $40,000 bonus for each fighter.