Marshall working fast in WEC fights

After spending much of his adolescence as a skateboarder, Doug Marshall did not make the switch to mixed martial arts until he was an adult.

It's a good thing he made the change. The nickname "Rhino" isn't nearly as effective on a half-pipe as it is in a cage.

Marshall will defend his World Extreme Cagefighting light heavyweight title tonight against unbeaten Brian Stann on a card at the Hard Rock Hotel.

It will be the third title defense for Marshall, a Visalia, Calif., native who earned his moniker through his aggressive style.

"I've had that nickname for so long," he said. "I just got it for never taking a step backwards, never really hesitating. I'm just always coming straight at you."

His path to professional fighting was not so direct.

In 2003, at age 26, Marshall was watching a WEC event in Lemoore, Calif., when he turned to his father and said he could beat the men they were watching in the cage.

"He told me to have another beer and shut up, or go do it," Marshall said. "The next week I started training, and three months later I had my first fight and won in 32 seconds, and I have been doing it ever since."

Though Marshall's career has progressed a great deal, his matches haven't lasted much longer than in his debut.

In compiling a 7-2 professional record, Marshall has seen the end of the first round just twice. Neither of those fights lasted more than a minute into the second round.

"I am conditioned to go the distance, but when I smell blood I go after it," he said.

His opponent's cage appearances have not lasted much longer.

Stann, a Marine Corps captain who has served two tours of duty in Iraq and earned the Silver Star in 2006, has stopped all five of his professional opponents in the first round.

He insisted he's up to the challenge of going the distance if the situation arises.

"I'm ready to go five rounds if need be," Stann said. "If I have to chew through the cage to get this victory, I'll do it."

Fortunately for his teeth, all he has to do to earn the title he desires so much is to defeat Marshall. It is an accomplishment he thinks will be just as important to him personally as it would be professionally.

"I think (a belt) does more for me as a person and the things I represent when I'm in there fighting," he said. "Obviously, the Marine Corps, my family and everybody that's been there for me along the way."

Las Vegan Blas Avena, a security guard at the Hard Rock, will have the home-venue advantage when he steps in against Hiromitsu Miura on the undercard.

Also, Chael Sonnen will take on Bryan Baker, and Brock Larson faces John Alessio.

The 10-fight card begins at 3:30 p.m., with the televised main card beginning live at 6 on Versus (Cox 67).

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