Justin Wren

Justin Christopher Wren (born April 27, 1987) is an American humanitarian worker[1] and a professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the heavyweight division of Bellator MMA.[2] A professional competitor since 2006, Wren has also formerly competed for the UFC, and was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.

Justin Wren
BornJustin Christopher Wren
(1987-04-27) April 27, 1987
Dallas, Texas, United States
Other namesThe Big Pygmy
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight234.4 lb (106.3 kg; 16.74 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)
Fighting out ofOklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Fort Worth, Texas, United States
TeamTeam Takedown
Grudge Training Center
Travis Lutter BJJ
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins13
By knockout6
By submission4
By decision3
Losses2
By knockout1
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Amateur wrestling career

Wren enjoyed a highly successful and decorated wrestling career before venturing into MMA. He was a standout at Texas wrestling powerhouse Bishop Lynch High School, where he was coached by Olympic Gold Medalists Kenny Monday and Kendall Cross.[3] During that time, he was a two time Prep State Champion (2004, 2005) and a two time Prep all-American, winning the Prep National Championship his senior year in Lehigh, Pennsylvania.

While he was indeed a standout collegiate-style wrestler, Wren's greatest success came in the Greco Roman style. He was a two time All-American in that discipline, winning the national championship in Fargo, ND the summer after his senior year in high school ('05).[4] This championship gained him national attention and earned him a scholarship to the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University to train for the Olympics to compete in Greco Roman wrestling.[5]

Mixed martial arts

Wanting to try his hand at Division I college wrestling, Wren attended Iowa State University to compete for then coach Cael Sanderson, however, he sustained an injury training before he could join the team. To stay active, Wren entered local fights around Iowa and began his MMA career.[6]

Wren won his first three fights by knockout before taking his first loss. His opponent was Matt Thompson. Wren then won five more fights and was ten and one before appearing on TUF.[7] Heading into the tenth installment of The Ultimate Fighter, Wren had trained all over the world but found his permanent home in Denver, CO with TUF 10 coach Trevor Wittman.[8]

The Ultimate Fighter

Wren was on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter fighting for Team Rashad. He was picked third for his team and fifth overall. On episode five, Wren fought UFC veteran Wes Sims, defeating him via first round technical submission from an arm triangle.

Wren then moved on to the quarter-finals and fought Roy Nelson in a controversial two round majority decision loss that many spectators at ring side, including Dana White, felt should have gone to a third round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Wren would go on make his UFC debut at The Ultimate Finale 10, against Ultimate Fighter 10 castmate, Jon Madsen, to whom he lost via split decision.[9] Wren was later released from the UFC.[10]

Post-UFC

On Jan. 23, 2010 Wren announced he had signed a deal with an unnamed promotion. Then on Jan. 26, the promotion was named as Ring of Fire MMA, based in Colorado. He fought and defeated Josh Henry in his debut for Ring of Fire by TKO in the first round.

After injuring his back from a slam in his victory over Josh Robertson, Wren underwent a corrective procedure to repair six or seven discs in his back.[11]

Bellator MMA

In July 2015, Wren signed a five-fight contract with Bellator MMA. After five years away from the sport, Wren made his promotional debut against Josh Burns at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015.[2] He won the fight by unanimous decision. He won his second Bellator bout against Juan Torres on February 19, 2016, also by unanimous decision. [12]

Wren faced Roman Pizzolato at Bellator 174 on March 3, 2017. He won via submission due to an arm-triangle choke in the first round.[13]

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
15 matches 13 wins 2 losses
By knockout 6 1
By submission 4 0
By decision 3 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 13–2 Roman Pizzolato Submission (arm-triangle choke) Bellator 174 March 3, 2017 1 2:35 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 12–2 Juan Torres Decision (unanimous) Bellator 149 February 19, 2016 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 11–2 Josh Burns Decision (unanimous) Bellator 141 August 28, 2015 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 10–2 Josh Robertson Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Force International: Blood & Sand 8 July 17, 2010 2 4:55 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win 9–2 Reggie Higgins Decision (unanimous) MMA Xplosion: Fight Night II at the Hard Rock May 22, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–2 Josh Henry TKO (punches) Ring of Fire 37: Warlords March 5, 2010 1 1:20 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Loss 7–2 Jon Madsen Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale December 5, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–1 Lamar Coleman Submission (arm-triangle choke) Brutaal: Hilton Coliseum April 11, 2009 1 1:03 Ames, Iowa, United States
Win 6–1 Chris Guillen TKO (punches) Xp3: The Proving Ground July 26, 2008 2 1:45 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 5–1 Ralph Kelly TKO (corner stoppage) C3 Fights: Contenders January 19, 2008 2 3:00 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 4–1 Tony Guined Submission (guillotine choke) Ultra Pure Productions: Graveyard Smash October 31, 2007 1 3:04 Conroe, Texas, United States
Loss 3–1 Matt Thompson TKO (referee stoppage) Art of War 2 May 11, 2007 2 0:27 Austin, Texas, United States
Win 3–0 Justin Howard TKO (punches) Art of War 1 March 9, 2007 2 1:32 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 2–0 Brian Ewers TKO (punches) ECF: Winter War January 27, 2007 1 0:42 Spirit Lake, Iowa, United States
Win 1–0 Ronald Stackhouse TKO (punches) Masters of the Cage 7 December 2, 2006 1 1:45 Norman, Oklahoma, United States

Humanitarian work

Justin has done a number of charity drives and expeditions for his charity Fight for the Forgotten,[14] with his work being featured on The Joe Rogan Experience.[15] He published an account of his life (co-authored by Loretta Hunt) and work with Mbuti pygmy tribes, also entitled 'Fight for the Forgotten', in September 2015.[16]

Justin has used a portion of his earnings from MMA to buy land and build fresh water wells for the Mbuti pygmy people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.[17] His solution uses local workforce and can be walked into areas otherwise inaccessible to well drilling machinery; initially they find well locations using a vertical electrical sounding machine.[15]

Personal life

Wren is a Christian.

According to Wren, he creates problems to try and fix them and is always in a state of conflict. [18]

See also

References
  1. "Redemption Shot: Justin Wren's path from drug addict to Christian missionary - Counter Punch". SI.com. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
  2. "Justin Wren signs with Bellator, meets Josh Burns on Bellator 141 main card". MMAjunkie. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  3. Archived July 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 16, 2005. Retrieved July 9, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Pro Mma Fighter Spotlight: Justin Wren : Pro Mma Now". Promma.info. 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  6. "PRO MMA FIGHTER SPOTLIGHT: JUSTIN WREN". ProMMA.com. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  7. "Sherdog Fight Finder: Justin Wren". Sherdog. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  8. Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Justin Wren vs. John Madsen set for Ultimate Fighter Finale". Aroundtheoctagon.com. 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  10. "Justin Wren Released by UFC; Tim Credeur Injured, Withdraws From Fight - MMA Fighting". Mma.fanhouse.com. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  11. "Justin Wren to have Back Surgery". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2011-05-26.
  12. "Bellator 149: Shamrock vs. Gracie Full Results & Recap". The MMA Corner. 2016-02-19. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  13. Staff (March 3, 2017). "Bellator 174 results: Julia Budd wins featherweight title vs. Marloes Coenen, who retires". mmajunkie.com.
  14. Iole, Kevin (2015-03-24). "How an MMA fighter found salvation among the Pygmies - Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
  15. "Joe Rogan Experience #603 - Justin Wren". YouTube. 2015-01-27. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  16. "Fight for the Forgotten". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  17. "Fight for the Forgotten". Indiegogo.com. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyOLA-IuvqA/
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