'Fight for the Troops' raises $4 million in donations
by MMAmania.com on Dec 15, 2008 10:29 AM EST
23 comments
The three-hour UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops" special from the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C., on Wednesday, December 10, raised more than $4 million in donations for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, according to The Oxford Press.
"Fight for the Troops" featured two welterweight clashes between Josh Koscheck and Yoshiyuki Yoshida, as well as Mike Swick against Jonathan Goulet. It was a solid night of mixed martial arts action on several fronts, but it came at a physical cost for several of the fighters.
In fact, Corey Hill sustained a gruesome leg fracture in the second round of his preliminary bout against Dale Hartt. He underwent successful surgery to repair the damage at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and will be on the mend for about 12 to 18 months.
For the entire list of those wounded click here.
"Fight for the Troops" paid tribute to the United States servicemen and women serving in the armed forces. Samuel L. Jackson, Jack Black, Charlie Sheen and other notable celebrities shot promos that aired on the Spike TV broadcast, urging viewers to call in and donate money to support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
In addition, several heart-wrenching vignettes of injured and broken soldiers returning from battle were inserted between to fights to demonstrate the need for a treatment center. In fact, donations will be used to create a state-of-the-art facility in Bethesda, Md., for wounded soldiers who suffer from various combat-related head injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
For more information visit www.fallenheroesfund.org or cal 1-800-340-HERO.
For complete results and coverage of UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops" click here and here.
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What a testament to mixed martial arts it truly is when you have the ability to raise this kind of money in 3 hours. There were some really heart-wrenching stories from soldiers. God bless the UFC.
by KJ Mack on Dec 15, 2008 10:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
anyone else think its a little ridiculous that our government isnt taking care of this sh*t??? that citizens have to DONATE to get a center like this… this thing should have been built years ago with government funds, what a fuc**d up place we live in, when all the govt cares about is bailing out banks and auto companies and all this other nonsense
by brendan on Dec 15, 2008 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking the same thing, the government sends them to war and then if the get injured they say sorry its not our fault you where injured. I wouldn’t give them a cent to their cause its an insult to tax payers everywhere.
by Bigmcmac on Dec 15, 2008 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention the billions it spends annually trying to find out if they can make Mars habitable.
But I think that MMA fans really came through for this. They could have done more mind you, but this is no small feat. If everyone who watched the free show gave just $10 the amount would have been huge.
I’m Canadian so my donation doesn’t even benefit our soldiers here but who cares, it’s for a great cause. I send out my thanks to my American neighbours who have sacrificed so valiantly. I’m more than happy to do whatever I can.
by JRK on Dec 15, 2008 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I assure you they all appreciate it.
by sp00ner1234 on Dec 15, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As a Marine I say thank you UFC. I hope I get to go there for my PTSD>>>
by sp00ner1234 on Dec 15, 2008 10:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hey Man – I hope you can get some assistance. Thank You!
by TapedUpPair on Dec 15, 2008 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
as a citizen, I want to thank you for your sacrifice. My wife and I didn’t donate to this cause, but we get payroll deductions every week to various charities! My wife loves the veterans and considers it a privilege to work FOR you guys! even in these hard economic times (we’re all affected), try to give something to someone guys! Toys for tots this time of year is a great charity! I’ve seen reports where they have no toys for these poor children! Go to your local mall or church and pick an envelope and give to a needy child! Target and wal mart have cheap toys, and believe me, the look on the childs face will genuinely warm your heart!
by kevin on Dec 15, 2008 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Besides sick or underprivalidged kids, I couldnt think of a better place for money to go to.
by the_mexicutioner on Dec 15, 2008 11:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Piers Morgan, who won The Celebrity Apprentice, also supported the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and they got a big boost through The Donald.
by Graham on Dec 15, 2008 12:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah my only question is this… there are so many people out there with MILLIONS of dollars. Is it so much to give to a genuinely good cause like this? I am incredibly pleased at this result but it felt like more people could’ve given. Not bringing it down at all I’m just saying. The UFC put on this fight and paid fighters and all the celebrities lended their faces… Doesn’t Jack Black star in every movie ever made? Doesn’t 50 cent have several platinum records? How much did they give… I don’t mean to be hard on them its just a curiosity of mine. At least they were involved. i’m just using them as examples
by sp00ner1234 on Dec 15, 2008 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
giving is a choice, not a requirement of anyone, wealthy or not! The rich give and don’t necessarily tell too! Some people do things because they want to and some people (the donald) do it for publicity. I give anonymously to a childrens organization, every week. I could have my name put in their magazine, but that would be tacky and pompous, I give because my wife enjoys giving back, not for the recognition!
by kevin on Dec 15, 2008 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder how much the UFC donated… probably nothing. It was all about getting some good PR, they dont care about the troops just about money.
by Lester the Pimp on Dec 15, 2008 4:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
They did put the fight on and for free just days before another free fight… I disagree that they don’t care about the troops. I think that probably a good 50% of the military is dedicated viewers of MMA. Especially with the advent of the military starting extensive belt training that is required for promotions, more and more military men and women are becoming big fans. I wouldn’t be surprised to see in the near future a large amount of military fighters. I think the UFC cares very much about their largest demographic (18-25 males) and their newest talent pool. and Kevin, valid point, but it still doesn’t explain how they only managed to raise 4 million. Its a lot of money but I just thought they could get more.
by sp00ner1234 on Dec 15, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Unlike yourself Lester, you donated all the profit your girls brought in last week right?
by Graham on Dec 15, 2008 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats right heaven forbid if these guys go to war and get killed or wounded cause thats not what they signed up for was it.
by Bigmcmac on Dec 15, 2008 10:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I want to know who won that VIP auction. They are lucky whoever they are.
by RyanHobbs on Dec 15, 2008 4:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I saw pictures of dude’s leg breaking…disgusting.
I can’t wait to see the same thing happen to Arlovski when he fights FEdor. Eff him for leaving UFC.
There’s a trailer up for the Day of Reckoning on arlovski’s site: www.arlovski.com
by koufax on Dec 15, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Veteran of Cdn Forces, watched the UFC Fight For The Troops on Spike, interested in purchasing the events t-shirt XXL size
by Mario on May 19, 2009 9:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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