Apr
18

Show Don’t Tell: MMA Fighter Brian Stann’s Latest Victory

By | Featured, Writing

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Former MMA fighter Cameron Conaway explains why Brian Stann’s victory in Sweden, and the subsequent viral video, prove that he is a good man.

On April 14th Brian “All American” Stann took on Alessio Sakara at UFC Sweden. Although Stann truly seems to be a good man, many fans have become numb from his good-manness being forced on them every time he’s interviewed or competes. Stann is a decorated Marine and he even founded a terrific organization called Hire Heroes, a not-for-profit that helps veterans transition to civilian jobs. But commentators mention Stann’s military and philanthropic accolades so frequently that they’ve become a joke in MMA circles. However, as any Introduction to Writing workshop will teach, the most memorable stories come not from moments told but from moments shown. Check out the video above to watch Stann show his goodness by stopping the fight as soon as he sees Sakara go unconscious.

Why is this a big deal? Because under UFC rules, fights continue until the referee stops the bout. In adrenaline’s heat, this often means fighters receive punches even after they are unconscious. Aside from the ref not reacting quickly enough, another reason this may happen is because the winning fighter does not want a glitch whereby he stops competing only to see that his opponent isn’t unconscious or is recovering. Either of which could mean the crucial loss of a dominant position. In my first two MMA bouts, for example, I held the fight-ending choke longer than I should have because I was determined to stop only when the ref stopped me. Likewise, at such high-speed competition it’s awfully difficult to know (and coordinate this knowingness with your body so it stops) precisely when your opponent is out.

Brian Stann—certainly in large part because of his training as an elite soldier and now as an elite mixed martial artist—was able to stop before the ref stopped him. This takes an unbelievable amount of trust, awareness and integrity. And it showcases the discipline and focus of a genuine mixed martial artist. The video has since gone viral and this is yet another step in the right direction for manhood and mixed martial arts.

This article was originally published on the Good Men Project.

Aug
05

Man Food

By | Good Men Project, MMA Nutrition

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All the talk of “Man Food” is just stereotypical nonsense. Click here to read Cameron’s reflections and meditations at the Good Men Project.

Here’s an excerpt:

“In Chiang Mai, Thailand, the McDonald’s is attached to the Imm Thapae, a hotel across the street from the historic Thapae Gate. The Gate was where monks and businessmen once traveled through to conduct meetings and trade. The old, blackened bricks stand strong, plants growing between their cracks and all; a symbolic monument to days long gone. Still, it’s the main entrance to what is called the “old city,” and as I sat looking out at it from inside of McDonald’s it provided the juxtaposition necessary to wax philosophic. In my peripheral was a plastic, life-sized Ronald McDonald – hands together sa-wa-dee-krup Thai style – there to greet incoming customers in all his simultaneously culturally crushing and embracing ways. This is to say that the McDonald’s is an easily recognizable place for people to meet before they go elsewhere. As I sat there waiting to be picked up by Ricky Tan, founder of Care Corner Orphanage, I couldn’t believe what came out of their public announcement system.”

Aug
05

Cameron interviews Frank Shamrock

By | Interviews on Others, Sherdog Writings

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Shortly after Frank Shamrock retired, Cameron Conaway had a lengthy conversation with him over the phone. What did they talk about? Everything from retiring punch drunk to women’s MMA. Click here to read the full article on Sherdog.

Here’s an excerpt:

“When people ask, “Who is your favorite MMA fighter?” I always answer Frank Shamrock.

“Many of the question-askers are those fans who claim to be “diehards,” yet when pressed they only know of Rampage Jackson and Chuck Liddell. I’m used to seeing a sort of uncertainty in their eyes when I say Frank’s name. I’m used to feeling a sense of disappointment that these “fans” don’t know about Frank Shamrock.

“I felt that same disappointment when Frank retired. The disappointment wasn’t from sadness as I watched the man so positively influential on me when I was young walk away. Nor was it because his retirement meant I was getting old. It was because the only other MMA news that could have possibly trumped Frank’s retirement from MMA happened. On the same night he retired, fans of the sport were stunned into stillness. Fedor lost.”

Aug
05

Cus D’Amato’s Boxing Gym

By | Interviews on Others, Sherdog Writings

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Cameron Conaway was granted exclusive access to Cus D’Amato’s Boxing Gym in Catskill, New York. The gym was where champions Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson were made. Click here to read the full article on Sherdog.

Here’s an excerpt:

“CATSKILL, N.Y. — The gym’s walls breathe history. The yellowed and wrinkled newspaper clippings taped to every square inch tell a story of pride, triumph and setback.

“On the surface, this gym looks no different than any other boxing gym. The heavybags are lopsided and duct-taped. Boxers of various skill levels and training intensities coalesce. This gym sounds no different than any other boxing gym. An old beat-up radio bangs out old beats. There are the three-minute buzzers and the grunts and the background pitter-patter music of speedbags. The gym smells no different than any other boxing gym — the musty, rustic smell of wet handwraps, worn-out leather and hardwood floors that contain within them generations of sweat.”

Aug
05

The MMA Mindset: Teacher’s Edition

By | Sherdog Writings

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Even high-schools throughout America are feeling the impact of the rise of mixed martial arts. Cameron’s been a high-school teacher. Click here to read his article on Sherdog.

Here’s an excerpt:

“High school hallways throughout America are filled with young men sporting Tapout apparel and Chuck Liddell-inspired Mohawks.

“A Monday morning conversation between students during homeroom may start with: “Did you watch the UFC on Saturday?” This is just the surface. It goes much deeper. The student with a tuba strapped across his back will surprise you when he says, “I think Diego Sanchez should stay at 155.” And then there’s the shy young woman who sits in the back of the class and rarely raises her hand; she has a picture of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre taped to the front of her homework folder.”

Aug
05

The MMA Mindset: Diet Edition

By | MMA Nutrition, Sherdog Writings

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The sport of mixed martial arts has much to teach us about controlling our nutritional habits. Click here to read Cameron’s article on Sherdog.

Here’s an excerpt:

“A morbidly obese man takes the butter knife from his loaded plate, carves off a chunk from the Wood Grill Buffet butter block and slaps it atop his mashed potatoes. His shape is neither pear nor apple. He is polygon closed not with a bounded path or circuit but by excess flesh. I stood beside him in Hayabusa fight shorts and a Frank Shamrock T-shirt. A splurge day for me. A day for him.”

Aug
05

MMA Diet: The Importance of Meals

By | MMA Nutrition, Sherdog Writings

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It sounds simple, but meals are important. We skip them more than we think. Cameron explains their importance, especially as it relates to the MMA athlete. Click here to read the article on Sherdog.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Supplemental bars and shakes have their place in the fighter’s diet. Grabbing a bar in between a training session can help replenish sugars, electrolytes and vitamins while providing the protein necessary to help repair the body from the grueling demands of training. However, while bars and supplements are great for providing what we think of as the staples of nutrition (protein, fat and carbohydrate) they aren’t food in their natural states and this often means many of the smaller chemicals (one example: the healthy bacteria that help maintain everything from a healthy intestinal tract to a strong immune system) are either severely lacking or not present in nearly the same quantity as they would be if the foods that made up the bar were eaten in their natural, unprocessed state.”

Aug
05

MMA Diet: Protein

By | MMA Nutrition, Sherdog Writings

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Getting enough protein is critical for the mixed martial artist. However, many athletes may be putting too much focus on protein. Click here to read Cameron’s article on Sherdog.

Here’s an excerpt:

“We’ve all heard about how protein builds muscle and of how protein is made up of various amino acids. This is true, but even if the fighter knows this it doesn’t necessarily change the fighter’s diet for the better, especially when they see ripped elite-level MMA fighters serving as a spokesperson for so-and-so protein supplement company.”

Aug
05

MMA Diet: Carbohydrates

By | MMA Nutrition, Sherdog Writings

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Want to know how best to maximize the carbs in your diet? Click here to read Cameron’s article at Sherdog.

Here’s an excerpt:

“There is always talk about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ carbs. It’s an overly simplistic approach, but can certainly be a helpful foundation for the fighter looking to make healthier food choices.”

Aug
05

MMA Diet: Fats

By | MMA Nutrition, Sherdog Writings

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Not all fats are bad. Healthy fats will help regulate your hormones and help you reach your potential as a mixed martial artist. Click here to read Cameron’s article on Sherdog.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Healthy fats should make up a considerable portion of the fighter’s diet. Because of the intense training sessions, fighters burn calories at rapid speeds and many fighters struggle to ingest enough calories. Per gram, fats contain nine calories (compare this to the four calories per gram ratio of protein and carbs) and are a terrific source to replenish the body with the calories it needs, while also reaping the many anti-inflammatory, anti-depression, heart-and-brain-healthy benefits of good fats.”

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