5 UFC fighters with military backgrounds

#2. Neil 'The Haitian Sensation' Magny

UFC 207: Johny Hendricks v Neil Magny

Neil Magny is one of the most disciplined professional mixed martial artists to grace the octagon. His dedication in the gym is nearly unparalleled when measured by the number of fights he has taken on in a year. To elaborate, at the start of his professional career in 2010, he was on an undefeated six-fight streak, winning four fights in the same year. In 2014, Magny was undefeated in seven straight fights, with five being won in the same year.

Magny credits handling being away from family and maintaining a strict diet while training to his time in the military. He spent several years as a light-wheeled mechanic in the Illinois National Guard. Additionally, he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 during Operation Iraqui Freedom. The National Guard is where Magny learned hand-to-hand combat. He won two amateur fighting tournaments for the Army called “All-Army Combatives” and “All-Guard Combatives”. While on active duty, Magny competed in MMA matches and continues to be a fierce competitor at 170 pounds to this day.

The Brooklyn-born fighter won his last fight via split decision and is currently tied with Georges St-Pierre for the most wins at welterweight in UFC history.

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#1. Randy 'The Natural' Couture

UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira Weigh-In

Before Randy Couture became a two-division champion, he served for six years (1982-1988) in the army as an air traffic controller. He finished his tour as a Staff Sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division and spent his last four years representing the army in global wrestling competitions.

Couture was a longtime UFC veteran who fought from 1997 until his retirement in 2011. He is now a Hall-of-Famer, which is a consequence of the numerous accolades on his fight resume. As a champion, he defended the heavyweight belt three times and the light heavyweight belt twice. At 16 total, he has the most title fights in UFC history, and out of the short list of fighters to hold two titles, Couture is the first of them.

In addition to his many obligations to the sport of mixed martial arts, Randy Couture participates in military functions as well.