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UFC throws down with Team Dover

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Whether it is state-of-the-art fitness centers, spin and Zumba classes or dietary workshops, the Air Force provides Airmen access to the knowledge and the tools necessary to live a healthy and active life. But is every Airman motivated enough to take advantage of these tools?

The Air Force Reserve and the 2014 Ultimate Fighting Championship Fit Tour brought Mike Dolce, UFC coach, and Carlos Condit, UFC fighter, to Team Dover to speak with Airmen about the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle June 26, 2014, at the fitness center on Dover AFB.

"The relationship between the UFC and the Air Force Reserve basically preaches total fitness, physically and mentally," said Senior Master Sgt. David Drake, 512th Airlift Wing reserve recruiting flight chief. "Too many people try to prepare for their PT tests two weeks before they take the test, and that isn't healthy."

Mike Dolce, also-known-as "Skull Cracker," is a former UFC fighter who currently coaches fighters such as: Thiago "Pitbull" Alves, Johny Hendricks, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey and Mike "Quicksand" Pyle. Dolce specializes in strength and conditioning training, as well as weight management.

"For me personally, it's an honor to come to this base and speak with the troops," said Dolce.

Dolce went on to discuss his reasons for visiting Team Dover. He believes that many Airmen require additional motivation to get fit, and to get healthy. He provided everyone that attended the event with a plethora of his personal experiences and knowledge in order to educate them on making healthy decisions.

"The military isn't lacking technique; they're not lacking information," said Dolce. "What the troops are lacking is motivation."

"The Natural Born Killer," Carlos Condit is the former World Extreme Cagefighting Welterweight Champion and former UFC Welterweight Champion of the World. He is currently ranked the number three Welterweight in the world.

Condit gave the audience a detailed chronicle of his life, beginning with wrestling at age 9, to where he is now as a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter.

Dolce and Condit also took taking questions from the crowd, followed by a meet-and-greet.

"In the Air Force, we focus on fitness, maybe not to the extent that these two gentlemen do," said Col. Kevin Gordon, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander. "But hopefully they can bring us some of their expertise and educate us."