Video: One of MMA's biggest fans also in charge of U.S. troops in South Korea

SEOUL – As the head of all U.S. troops in South Korea – and a pretty big MMA fan, to boot – Command Sgt. Maj. John Wayne Troxell is making sure some soldiers get a memorable Thanksgiving in Seoul.

Ahead of Saturday’s UFC Fight Fight 79 event at Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, we headed to a Thanksgiving celebration earlier today with Troxell and some guest fighters, including former Marine Dominic Waters. The military-base celebration was a special affair.

“It’s huge because these men and women are here in Korea,” said Troxell, who’s in charge of the 28,500 U.S. troops in the country. “They’re away from their families. They stand ready to fight tonight and deter any type of North Korean aggression. So to have the fighters come in on Thanksgiving day, to take time out of their busy schedules – for one, Dom Waters, who’s cutting weight and he’s here around all this turkey and all this pie, but still him being a Marine in his past life, coming here to say thank you to the troops is huge.”

The UFC and U.S. military have had deep ties over the years, and today, troops got to meet with Waters, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Julianna Pena, Mark Hunt, Jon Tuck and Yair Rodriguez, as well as some UFC officials.

According to Troxell, the relationship – as seen during today’s festivities – is a fitting one.

“The troops absolutely love it – and even more, it’ll strengthen the bond between UFC fighters and America’s finest: the warriors that make up the U.S. military,” he said.

Check out the above video for more on the troops, their holiday feast and how Troxell became such a devoted MMA fan.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 79, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.