Wednesday my videographer, Bobby, and I followed Brian Stann around Manhattan for the day as the WEC light heavyweight champion spoke with many of the major news outlets in preparation for his August 3 bout against Steve Cantwell.

FOX news, Sports Illustrated and ESPN the magazine were only a few of the places that Brian went for an interview on this double-digit-hour work day. Whether it was a phone or television interview, Stann, a Marine officer who served two tours in Iraq, approached each question with the same professionalism he does with each of his fights.

When leaving one of the studios, I asked Brian: "Doesn't it get monotonous answering the same questions? Do you give the same answers?"

Stann responded light-heartedly: "I wouldn't be honest then if my answers aren't consistent."

Stann, a Silver Star (the nation's third highest honor) recipient for gallantry in action, earned the title in March with a TKO win against Doug Marshall at 1:35 into the fight. He is 5-0 in the WEC and none of those fights have seen the second round. He also owns a previous knockout over Cantwell in 2007.

While I was getting tired just following around the champ, Stann never once complained about his day. When I was ready to take a nap, Stann was ready to workout. After lunch, the champ went over to Fighthouse gym in Midtown to get some training in with Rory Singer. The former UFC competitor and Ultimate Fighter: Season 3 contestant now coaches Stann and runs a training center called Hardcore Gym in Athens, Ga.

Stann, who now lives in Georgia with his wife and daughter, wrapped his hands and began sparring with Singer. As the fighters circled, the gym was holding heat the way that only saunas can on this midsummer afternoon. After the boxing, Stann worked his kicks and then the duo moved to the mats to roll. The champ spent most of the time in Singer's guard. He avoided armbars, triangles and was able to pass. Once Stann got to side control, he kept his hips heavy and imposed his will. It looks like it would be very difficult to move him in a real fight.

"People think I have no ground game," Stann said between rounds while smiling through his mouthpiece. "Good."

After the workout, we filmed our interviews with Stann and Singer. The champ then changed and it was back to answer more questions and meet with more media. With a smile on his face and no hitch in his step, he managed to shoe-horn an intense workout in a 12-plus-hour work day. He didn't even once come close to complaining about his tight schedule.

It was evident that this war hero has seen tougher days.

(The video from the workout will be posted soon...thanks for reading).

Photos: Brian Stann works out in NYC

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Former mixed martial arts light
heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was arrested
Tuesday after a series of collisions allegedly involving the pickup
truck he was driving.
    Jackson was booked into Orange County Jail for investigation of
felony evading, hit and run and reckless driving, according to Lt.
Paul Dondero of the Costa Mesa Police Department. Bail was set at
$25,000.
    Police received a report of an accident on the 55 Freeway near
19th Street in Costa Mesa involving a large pickup truck that had
struck other vehicles and fled the scene, Dondero said.
    A Costa Mesa officer spotted the pickup getting involved in
another collision and fleeing toward Newport Beach. The pickup,
which had a tire disabled in the collisions, was pulled over in
Newport Beach and Jackson was taken into custody without incident,
Dondero said.
    There were no injuries involved in the various collisions, he
said.
    Jackson, 30, who lives in Irvine, was upset by Forrest Griffin
at UFC 86 earlier this month in Las Vegas.
    UFC spokeswoman Jennifer Wenk in Las Vegas said UFC officials
were aware of Jackson’s arrest and had no comment.

LAS VEGAS - Forrest Griffin upset light heavyweight champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson on Saturday night, winning a five-round unanimous decision at UFC 86.

Griffin (16-4) used his movement, reach and kicks to slow Jackson (28-7) and survived the champion's power shots in an action-packed mixed martial arts fight at Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Main Card

• Forrest Griffin defeats Rampage Jackson by unanimous decision to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion!

• Patrick Cote defeats Ricardo Almeida by split decision

• Joe Stevenson defeats Gleison Tibau by submission (Guillotine) in the second round
  

• Josh Koscheck defeats Chris Lytle by unanimous decision

• Tyson Griffin defeats Marcus Aurelio by unanimous decision
  
  

Undercard

• Gabriel Gonzaga defeats Justin McCully by submission (kimura) in the first round
  

• Cole Miller defeats Jorge Gurgel by submission (triangle) in the third round
  

• Melvin Guillard defeats Denis Siver by knockout in the first round

• Justin Buchholz defeats Corey Hill by submission (rear naked choke) in the second round