The best part: it's free.
If you're into this kind of thing, the UFC is putting on another at Fort Hood in Texas. The last time the UFC did one of these events, it raised $4 million that went to the completion of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence located next to the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md. This facility is one of the most advanced facilities in the world dedicated to research and treatment of nonpenetrating brain injuries.
According to the Department of Defense, Traumatic Brain Injury has affected more than 115,000 service personnel since the year 2000. The real number of troops affected is likely much higher. Former troops that spent time in combat suffer from 20% unemployment rates, mental illness and uncommonly high rates of suicide. While TBI has been around ever since war was invented, the study of this affliction has only been taken seriously in the last five to 10 years.
The UFC will again collaborate with the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to raise awareness to fight fans and raise money that will benefit research of TBI. ESPN.com has a great article on this:
"The [IFHF is] one of the premier nonprofits in America serving Iraq and Afghanistan vets and their families," [Paul] Rieckhoff, [executive director and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.] said. "It's notable that not only do they do good work, they're extremely innovative, they're bold, and I would argue that the Fisher family, which is the driving force behind this, has probably done more for our nation's veterans than any family in American history."
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Said UFC president Dana White: "What they've done for the troops here in the United States, I can't put it into words."
The connection between MMA and the military is an organic one. And as the UFC has closely situated itself to organizations like the USO and the Marine Corps, those bonds have only grown tighter. Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, majority owners of the UFC, sit on the board of trustees for the IFHF and, [Martin] Edelman [an original member of the board of trustees for the IFHF] said, "have been extraordinary, both in the generosity of their gifts and in aligning the UFC with support that we have with our activities."
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Awareness is as important as money. The first "Fight for the Troops" card in December 2008 saw more than 100,000 Americans donate to the cause.
What can I say, I like rasslin'.
Watch 'Fight for the Troops' Saturday, January 21, 9pm ET on Spike TV.