Justin Wren

Justin Wren
Born Justin Christopher Wren
April 27, 1987
Dallas, Texas, United States
Other names The Viking
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight 251 lb (114 kg; 17.9 st)
Division Heavyweight
Reach 75.0 in (191 cm)
Style Greco Roman Wrestling
Fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas
Team Grudge Training Center
Years active 2006-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 12
Wins 10
By knockout 6
By submission 3
By decision 1
Losses 2
By knockout 1
By decision 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Justin Christopher Wren (born April 27, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.

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.[1] 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, PA.

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).[2] 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.[3]

Mixed martial arts

Wanting to try his hand at Division I college wrestling, Wren planned to move to 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.[4]

Wren won his first four 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.[5] Heading into the tenth instalment 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.[6]

Wren is one of several fighters who is chaplained by The Fight Pastor.[7]

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 sixth 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 début at The Ultimate Finale 10, against Ultimate Fighter 10 cast mate, Jon Madsen who he lost to via split decision.[8] Wren was later released from the UFC.[9]

Post-UFC

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

After injuring his back from a slam in his most recent victory over Josh Robertson, Wren will undergo a corrective procedure to repair six or seven discs in his back. He plans to return "pretty soon".[10]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10-2 United States Josh Robertson Submission (rear naked choke) Fight Force International: Blood & Sand 8 July 17, 2010 2 4:55 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9-2 United States Reggie Higgins Decision (unanimous) MMA Xplosion: Fight Night II at the Hard Rock May 22, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8-2 United States Josh Henry TKO (strikes) Ring of Fire 37: Warlords March 5, 2010 1 1:20 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 7-2 United States Jon Madsen Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale December 5, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7-1 United States Lamar Coleman Submission (arm-triangle choke) Brutaal: Hilton Coliseum April 11, 2009 1 1:03 Ames, Iowa, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6-1 United States Chris Guillen TKO (punches) Xp3: The Proving Ground July 26, 2008 2 1:45 Houston, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5-1 United States Ralph Kelly TKO (corner stoppage) C3 Fights: Contenders January 19, 2008 2 3:00 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4-1 United States Tony Guined Submission (guillotine choke) Ultra Pure Productions: Graveyard Smash October 31, 2007 1 3:04 Conroe, Texas, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 3-1 United States Matt Thompson TKO (ref stoppage) Art of War 2 May 11, 2007 2 0:27 Austin, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3-0 United States Justin Howard TKO (punches) Art of War 1 March 9, 2007 2 1:32 Dallas, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2-0 United States Brian Ewers TKO (punches) ECF: Winter War January 27, 2007 1 0:42 Spirit Lake, Iowa, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1-0 United States 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 Fight For the Forgotten,[11] with his work being featured on The Joe Rogan Experience.[12]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.dmacc.edu/boone/BooneBanner/2007/February%207,%202007.pdf
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Pro Mma Fighter Spotlight: Justin Wren : Pro Mma Now". Promma.info. 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  4. ↑ "PRO MMA FIGHTER SPOTLIGHT: JUSTIN WREN". ProMMA.com. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Sherdog Fight Finder: Justin Wren". Sherdog. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  6. ↑ "http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Exclusive-FiveKnucklescom-interview-with-Justin-Wren.html". FiveKnuckles.com. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  7. ↑ Friel, Todd (2010-03-05). "Justin Wren Fights, Fight Pastor Prays". FightPastor.com. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  8. ↑ "Justin Wren vs. John Madsen set for Ultimate Fighter Finale". Aroundtheoctagon.com. 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  9. ↑ "Justin Wren Released by UFC; Tim Credeur Injured, Withdraws From Fight - MMA Fighting". Mma.fanhouse.com. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  10. ↑ "Justin Wren to have Back Surgery". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2011-05-26.
  11. ↑ http://www.fightfortheforgotten.com/
  12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDZN_L2H05Q

External links