UFC’s Cantwell, Garcia salute U.S. military at viewing party

Hours before one of the most celebrated military operations in U.S. history, two Ultimate Fighting Championship competitors were showing their appreciation for the troops stationed closer to home.

Steve Cantwell and Leonard Garcia hosted a UFC 129 viewing party for several hundred members of the military at Nellis Air Force Base on Saturday night.

“They’re unsung heroes, for sure. People overlook what these guys do all the time,” Garcia said. “If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. It’s a great honor to do things like this.”

The UFC sent along a representative well-stocked with merchandise and UFC 130 tickets to give away during the broadcast.

Garcia fielded several questions about his two fights with Chan Sung Jung. Garcia defeated “The Korean Zombie” by split decision in the Fight of the Year in 2010 but lost the rematch when he was caught in the seldom-used Twister submission.

“I’d never seen it before. I thought he was going for an armbar, and I gave up my arm so I could end up on top, but he got tricky. It’s something you have to do; you’ve got to evolve in the sport,” Garcia said. “I’ve got three variations of the Twister now, and I’ve got an easy counter for it.”

Garcia said he started drilling on the maneuver with his coach, Greg Jackson, in the locker room immediately after the loss. He looks forward to a third battle with Jung, which Garcia said will happen if he can win his next fight: either a rematch with Nam Phan in July or a meeting with Michihiro Omigawa in August.

Cantwell, a Las Vegan, is unsure of when he might be able to return to the cage. He suffered a torn rotator cuff while training for his fight against Cyrille Diabate in March but went ahead with the bout because he had been out of action for 18 months.

“I felt like I owed the UFC a fight,” he said. “I had to fight injured coming off a layoff like that, but I’ll get to do it again. I got a new contract, so everything’s good.”

Cantwell has been back in the gym testing his shoulder for about two weeks and hopes to contact the UFC about scheduling a fight as soon as he is back training at full strength.

■ MIXED EMOTIONS — Almost immediately after learning of the news, Strikeforce contender Tim Kennedy took to his Facebook page to express his feelings on the precisely executed military operation that resulted in Osama bin Laden’s death.

Kennedy, a Green Beret who was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan and was awarded a Bronze Star in 2006, had one regret about the situation.

“I find myself kind of sad that Osama Bin Laden is dead. I have fantasized about killing him almost as much as zombies… I will have to find a replacement,” Kennedy posted.

■ ON DECK — With both champions keeping their belts at UFC 129 on Saturday night, the question becomes what’s next for welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and featherweight champ Jose Aldo.

It appears the answer is easier in the case of Aldo. UFC president Dana White indicated Aldo probably will face unbeaten prospect Chad Mendes, a Urijah Faber protege, at UFC 133 on Aug. 6 in Philadelphia if all goes as planned.

St. Pierre has essentially cleaned out the division but has been hesitant to commit to moving up in weight to face middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

Instead, a bout with Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz could be a possibility. White has expressed interest in the matchup, but there could be complications with Diaz’s contract with Strikeforce, which ties him to Showtime.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.