Brian Stann
Active 2009–present · rated in 1 edition · peak overall 78.0
Scouting report
A U.S. Marine Corps Captain awarded the Silver Star for valor in combat, Brian "All-American" Stann transitioned his leadership and power into mixed martial arts. Hailing from Scranton, Pennsylvania, the former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion scored knockouts of Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago inside the Octagon, his heavy hands captured by an 85 Boxing score and 78 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
Brian Stann, a Marine who hit harder than he grappled
Brian Stann graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2003, played linebacker there, and became a Marine infantry officer. In May 2005 his platoon was ambushed near the Ramana Bridge in Iraq. All 42 Marines survived, and he received the Silver Star. He started fighting in 2006 while on active duty, using leave to train. In March 2008 he knocked out Doug Marshall to win the WEC light heavyweight title. He later dropped to middleweight and stopped Chris Leben in the first round on New Year's Day 2011.
Stann, rating by rating
Boxing. The top of the card at 85. He won the WEC title by knockout and stopped Leben with strikes.
Kickboxing. Rated 74. He scored with knees from the clinch on Alessio Sakara in 2012.
Wrestling. Rated 72. He credits training at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center for Excellence in Quantico for his foundation.
BJJ. The lowest number on his card at 68. Krzysztof Soszynski made him tap to a kimura in 2009, the first tap of his career.
Strength. Rated 82. He credits football and powerlifting for his explosiveness.
Durability. Rated 80. He was knocked out by Wanderlei Silva in round two in 2013 in a Fight of the Night.
Cardio. Rated 78. He caught Mike Massenzio in a triangle choke midway through the final round in 2010 for his first submission win.
Fight IQ. Rated 78. When he knocked out Sakara he sat up and signaled to the referee instead of throwing extra blows.
Boxing at 85 and what it did to Leben
Boxing is his top rating at 85. The Leben finish is the model, with a first-round TKO on January 1, 2011, built on punches and a knee. He also stopped Jorge Santiago in round two in May 2011 with a right to the temple. He is built for exchanges that end quickly.
BJJ at 68 and the submission losses
BJJ is his lowest rating at 68, and the record agrees. Soszynski tapped him in his debut in the big promotion with a kimura, and Chael Sonnen submitted him in the second round in October 2011. Stann said afterward that his military commitments left him short on grappling preparation before the first one. Wrestlers with real submission threats are the problem.
Keep exploring
Closest middleweight profiles to Brian Stann, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Wanderlei Silvabest boxing 86 · weakest wrestling 70
- Brad Tavaresbest durability 82 · weakest bjj 70
- Rich Franklinbest boxing 82 · weakest bjj 76
- Dan Hendersonbest boxing 85 · weakest kickboxing 70
- Middleweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Brian Stann's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Brian Stann into your build
Brian Stann enters the pool on any spin landing on middleweight between 2010 and 2013. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Brian Stann is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Brian Stann's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.