Inside the famed Octagon, UFC athletes fight like lions raised
on Chuck Norris movies, but outside the cage they’re just big teddy bears with
hearts of gold. UFC fighters are increasingly using their public platforms to
raise awareness of and money for the causes closest to them.
Its a trend
that starts at the top - the UFC itself regularly raises money for good causes,
most notably the Fight for the Troops events that benefit injured veteras via
the Intrepid Fallen
Heroes Fund.
on Chuck Norris movies, but outside the cage they’re just big teddy bears with
hearts of gold. UFC fighters are increasingly using their public platforms to
raise awareness of and money for the causes closest to them.
Its a trend
that starts at the top - the UFC itself regularly raises money for good causes,
most notably the Fight for the Troops events that benefit injured veteras via
the Intrepid Fallen
Heroes Fund.
Here, some of the causes favored by our fighters.
Dan Hardy
In 1994, “The West Memphis
3” were a group of teenagers in Arkansas who dyed their hair, wore black
clothing, listened to heavy metal and read Stephen King novels. And after a
shocking murder of some children, the teens were convicted despite a seeming
lack of evidence.
The story has rallied support from celebs raging from
Eddie Vedder to Johnny Depp. Now the UK’s premier UFC Welterweight has recently
been holding benefit events - including his UFN 24 afterparty - to raise money in support of Free the West Memphis
3.
Takanori Gomi
The former PRIDE Lightweight
Champion and one of Japan’s biggest MMA stars has started the Fight Back Fund, which is a
relief effort for Japan from the earthquake and tsunami. The website will donate
entire sales amount of all purchases to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Edson Barboza
The UFC 128 Fight of the Night
winner’s charity of choice is one close to his family and place of birth. Combat Athletes for
Nova Friburgo is a nonprofit formed to raise money and support the relief
effort in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, where mudslides have killed hundreds and
displaced thousands of people. Many in the city, located in the mountainous
region northeast of Rio de Janeiro, have lost family members, homes, belongings,
and jobs in the largest disaster in Brazil’s history.
Brian Stann
He's a Marine Captain, a Silver Star winner, an American
hero, an author and a rising name in the UFC’s Middleweight division. And
Stann’s time outside of the cage is devoted to the charity he runs Hire Heroes USA. The
nonprofit’s mission is to help military vets get back in the job
game.
James Te Huna
At UFC 127, the 29 year old New
Zealand native generously donated all of his fight earnings to the victims of
the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake, a move which inspired the UFC to
match his donation. Te Huna currently lives in Sydney, Australia, but was born
in Darfield, New Zealand, which is a neighboring town of Christchurch.
Brendan Schaub
Besides winning Knockout of the
Night at UFC 128, Schaub is a two-time winner of the “Tequila Cazadores Spirit
Award”. The award is for UFC fighters who show integrity in and out of the cage
and provides a donation to the charity of the fighter’s choosing. Schaub’s
donations have gone to Doctors without Borders and the Colorado Humane Society
& SPCA.
Forrest Griffin
Do you want to
selflessly donate to charity and selfishly get something out of it? Good news,
Forrest Griffin solved this troublesome paradigm by donating all proceeds from
his second laugh-a-minute book "Be Ready When The Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the
Apocalypse." The money is going to several charities including Fisher House (offers
temporary homes to the families of hospitalized soldiers), Three Square (a Las Vegas
food bank), Forrest’s local church and trust fund for the 5-year old son of a
deceased friend.
Rich Franklin
In 2008, Rich
Franklin was named an ambassador for Disabled American Veterans a nonprofit with 1.2 million
members. Franklin also supports the cause through visits to VAs and military
hospitals, public service announcements and frequent donations.
Randy Couture
Before he was a member of the UFC
Hall of Fame, “The Natural” was a member of the United States Armed Forces. To
give back, Couture started his own nonprofit, Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, which raises money for soldiers
wounded in action and their families.
In 1994, “The West Memphis
3” were a group of teenagers in Arkansas who dyed their hair, wore black
clothing, listened to heavy metal and read Stephen King novels. And after a
shocking murder of some children, the teens were convicted despite a seeming
lack of evidence.
The story has rallied support from celebs raging from
Eddie Vedder to Johnny Depp. Now the UK’s premier UFC Welterweight has recently
been holding benefit events - including his UFN 24 afterparty - to raise money in support of Free the West Memphis
3.
Takanori Gomi
The former PRIDE Lightweight
Champion and one of Japan’s biggest MMA stars has started the Fight Back Fund, which is a
relief effort for Japan from the earthquake and tsunami. The website will donate
entire sales amount of all purchases to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Edson Barboza
The UFC 128 Fight of the Night
winner’s charity of choice is one close to his family and place of birth. Combat Athletes for
Nova Friburgo is a nonprofit formed to raise money and support the relief
effort in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, where mudslides have killed hundreds and
displaced thousands of people. Many in the city, located in the mountainous
region northeast of Rio de Janeiro, have lost family members, homes, belongings,
and jobs in the largest disaster in Brazil’s history.
Brian Stann
He's a Marine Captain, a Silver Star winner, an American
hero, an author and a rising name in the UFC’s Middleweight division. And
Stann’s time outside of the cage is devoted to the charity he runs Hire Heroes USA. The
nonprofit’s mission is to help military vets get back in the job
game.
James Te Huna
At UFC 127, the 29 year old New
Zealand native generously donated all of his fight earnings to the victims of
the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake, a move which inspired the UFC to
match his donation. Te Huna currently lives in Sydney, Australia, but was born
in Darfield, New Zealand, which is a neighboring town of Christchurch.
Brendan Schaub
Besides winning Knockout of the
Night at UFC 128, Schaub is a two-time winner of the “Tequila Cazadores Spirit
Award”. The award is for UFC fighters who show integrity in and out of the cage
and provides a donation to the charity of the fighter’s choosing. Schaub’s
donations have gone to Doctors without Borders and the Colorado Humane Society
& SPCA.
Forrest Griffin
Do you want to
selflessly donate to charity and selfishly get something out of it? Good news,
Forrest Griffin solved this troublesome paradigm by donating all proceeds from
his second laugh-a-minute book "Be Ready When The Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the
Apocalypse." The money is going to several charities including Fisher House (offers
temporary homes to the families of hospitalized soldiers), Three Square (a Las Vegas
food bank), Forrest’s local church and trust fund for the 5-year old son of a
deceased friend.
Rich Franklin
In 2008, Rich
Franklin was named an ambassador for Disabled American Veterans a nonprofit with 1.2 million
members. Franklin also supports the cause through visits to VAs and military
hospitals, public service announcements and frequent donations.
Randy Couture
Before he was a member of the UFC
Hall of Fame, “The Natural” was a member of the United States Armed Forces. To
give back, Couture started his own nonprofit, Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, which raises money for soldiers
wounded in action and their families.
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