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Hurlburt Field Airman battles in MMA duel

By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Kim, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published December 11, 2012

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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The relatively somber crowd of a mixed martial arts fight night that packed the hanger ignited with a roar of cheers and applause from the home crowd as a fighter made his way to the cage for pre-fight checks. He swung his hands and bounced around to his entrance music nodding his head with a palpable swagger, but as he embraced his fellow team members and trainers, he entered the cage with calm and ease of experiencing the intensity of the fight many times before.

Staff Sgt. Steve Burks, an avionics Airman of 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, entered the cage for a three-round battle with Michael Roberts, a service member in the Navy, in the co-main event in the 145 lbs division of Strike Fight at Hanger 102 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 8.

Burks established a fluid rhythm early in the first round, throwing hand combinations and leg kicks. As Roberts attempted to counter with a leg kick of his own, Burks caught the kick and swiftly took Roberts down to the ground.

Roberts rode the cage back up to his feet only to be taken down once more by Burks.

The fighters found themselves on their feet as Roberts, now loosened up, began countering and landing significant strikes before Burks resorted back to his wrestling skills and pressed Roberts to the cage as blood trickled out of his nose.

Roberts started the second round with confidence, dropping his hands to bait Burks into a striking game, but he countered with another take down. After the second round ended with unsuccessful submission attempts from Burks, he hunched over with his hands on his knees as he awaited counsel, water and ice from his trainer.

The third round started with an exhausted Burks that moved around with new life as the cheers from the home crowd rejuvenated him.

The climax round started with a leg kick from Burks that was countered with a furious left hook that rocked Burks as he back peddled to the cage. Burks recovered and the round ended with unsuccessful take-down attempts and striking exchanges.

To the audible dismay of the audience, the fight ended with a draw--the fighters responded with smiles.

"It was an honor to fight for all the troops out here," said Roberts as Burks put his arm around him.

Roberts continued to dedicate the fight to his fellow service members and friends that he had lost in Afghanistan and those that he lost in the recent years.

"I want to give a shout-out to everybody who came out from Hurlburt Field," Burks exclaimed.

Sweat ran down the emotionally and physically drained faces as the adrenaline wore off and the agony of a long battle set in. The two men walked out the cage as the smiles on their faces shined, evident that the fight was more than just about the "W" but an honest exchange between two men who put on a show for a military crowd proving once again, their service and dedication to their country.