Itching for battle, U.S. troops in Iraq stage fight nights

[unhappycamper]

Amateur fighters grapple in a boxing ring at Contingency Operating Base Adder's first Friday Night Fight. Mixed martial arts fights involving U.S. soldiers, Special Forces and private contractors are gaining popularity on U.S. bases across Iraq. Click here to see the gallery.



Itching for battle, U.S. troops in Iraq stage fight nights
By Hannah Allam | McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010

COB ADDER, Iraq — Hard rock thumped through the speakers and nonalcoholic beer flowed as more than 1,000 amped-up American soldiers crowded around a makeshift boxing ring one evening earlier this month at a U.S. base in southern Iraq.

"Let's get ready to ruuuumble!" the emcee bellowed, kicking off Contingency Operating Base Adder's first Friday Night Fights, where American servicemen, special forces and private contractors beat each other bloody in mixed martial arts bouts that are spreading fast on U.S. installations throughout Iraq.

The mixed martial arts clubs are modeled after the immensely popular Ultimate Fighting Championship organization's blend of sports and showmanship. Bouts on U.S. military bases aren't quite as nasty as the televised matches from Las Vegas: Military fight clubs must follow Modern Army Combatives rules, which ban some street-fighting moves.

Still, the fights aren't for the squeamish. One by one, shirtless, barefoot and heavily tattooed fighters entered the ring at COB Adder to face flying kicks and the dreaded "rear naked choke." Soldiers in the audience egged them on with calls of "Beat up that rib cage!" and "Take him to the ground!"

Once a winner was announced, the fighters stumbled over to a team of waiting medics who iced down golfball-size knots, purplish bruises and bloody noses.


Rest of article at: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/82061.html

[T Wolf]

1. Killers must stay in training, and must keep up their rage. More examples of Amerika's "finest?" n

[martymar64]

2. Bring them home already!

[Javaman]

4. The sad part is...

in their state of mind, do you want them home?

I know what I'm saying. I want this damn war over now, but we have so screwed up these guys, I honestly wonder how many of them will function back in society.

But then again, we as a nation get what we deserve.

[martymar64]

10. Unfortunately, I think you're right.

These wars have destroyed so much and will continue to destroy even after it's over.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. The mindset. The worldview.

It is NOT good.

[hayu_lol]

5. Troops without action get bored...

used to be that troops were rotated for R&R to a better spot in or out of country. Where they are is something less than a garden spot so why blame them for entertaining themselves.

Keep in mind that all troops will not participate in these fights...just some.

Quit blaming the troops for doing something with which you disagree...you ain't there.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. You achieved an extremely high strawman/word ratio. I'm impressed.

Now go find another non-war-happy poster to huff and puff your moral indignation upon. Shoo.

[Artie Bucco]

6. Wait

Don't the services have a history have having organized boxing and what not? Don't see why MMA would be any different.

[NightWatcher]

7. the monsters are also playing VOLLEYBALL

Jeez, people, boxing is a sport

[PacerLJ35]

9. You are correct, this is placed out of context...

Boxing, MMA...whatever...it's a sport whether you'd like to participate or not. Some people like martial arts, boxing, etc. Despite this event going on, the vast majority of those deployed to Iraq do not participate in MMA or boxing-style events, and many (if not a majority) don't even bother to participate as a spectator.

Volleyball, softball, basketball and other traditional sports are more common than MMA events by far. Military personnel aren't uber-aggressive Neanderthals itching to fight and draw blood (well, obviously some may be, but it's unfair to cast that net over everyone).

I've been in the military for nearly 18 years, both the Army and Air Force, and I don't think I've ever been in a fight in my life. I'd say most of my friends fall in that category (minus a scuffle or two as kids).

[BakedAtAMileHigh]

11. ah yes, violent homo-eroticism in the military

Yeah, these warriors are just keeping keyed up so they can get out there and shoot some "ragheads"!! Just as long as any of 'em aren't queer out loud, right?

Blech, blech blech. Bring 'em home? You might want to do a little reading on what has been happening in Ft. Carson in CO before you chant that too loudly.

If these idiots want to beat the crap out of each other and shoot brown people I would much rather have them isolated in the desert than walking the streets of my city. Sorry, but these lunatics are volunteer: I have no sympathy at all. If they weren't in Iraq killing people they would be at home drinking and slapping their wives around.

[Mari333]

12. big picture. those are the sons and daughters,,husbands and wives,

brothers and fathers and mothers of people . who were sent to an illegal occupation by war criminals who are walking around scot free.
for oil companies to gain lucrative contracts. people who signed up mostly because there are no jobs here.
if there were jobs, believe me, you would not see so many young people sign up for this crap.