Justin Wren
| Justin Wren | |
|---|---|
| Born | Justin Christopher Wren April 27, 1987 Greenville, Mississippi, 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 | Denver, Colorado |
| Team | Grudge Training Center |
| Years active | 2006-present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 13 |
| Wins | 11 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 3 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Other information | |
| 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 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.[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 quarterfinals 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 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 debut for Ring of Fire by TKO in the first round.
Personal life
He has several tattoos, including one on his left arm which says "Rehor" in memory of his friend and coach Brad Rehor.
Mixed martial arts record
| 13 matches | 11 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 1 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 10-2 | Josh Robertson
|
Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | Fight Force International: Blood & Sand 8 | July 17, 2010 | 2 | 4:55 | Biloxi, Mississippi
| |
| 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
| |
| Win | 8-2 | Josh Henry
|
TKO (Strikes) | Ring of Fire 37: Warlords | March 5, 2010 | 1 | 1:20 | Omaha, Nebraska
| |
| Loss | 7-2 | Jon Madsen
|
Decision (Split) | UFC: The Ultimate Finale 10 | December 5, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada
| |
| Win | 7-1 | Lamar Coleman
|
Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) | Brutaal: Hilton Coliseum | April 11, 2009 | 1 | 1:03 | Ames, Iowa
| |
| Win | 6-1 | Chris Guillen
|
TKO (Punches) | Xp3: The Proving Ground | July 26, 2008 | 2 | 1:45 | Houston, Texas
| |
| Win | 5-1 | Ralph Kelly
|
TKO (Corner Stoppage) | C3 Fights: Contenders | January 19, 2008 | 2 | 3:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| |
| Win | 4-1 | Tony Guined
|
Submission (Guillotine Choke) | Ultra Pure Productions: Graveyard Smash | October 31, 2007 | 1 | 3:04 | Conroe, Texas
| |
| Loss | 3-1 | Matt Thompson
|
KO (Punches) | Art of War 2 | May 11, 2007 | 2 | 0:27 | Austin, Texas
| |
| Win | 3-0 | Justin Howard
|
TKO (Punches) | Art of War 1 | March 9, 2007 | 2 | 1:32 | Dallas, Texas
| |
| Win | 2-0 | Brian Ewers
|
TKO (Punches) | ECF: Winter War | January 27, 2007 | 1 | 0:42 | Spirit Lake, Iowa
| |
| Win | 1-0 | Ronald Stackhouse
|
TKO (Punches) | Masters of the Cage 7 | December 2, 2006 | 1 | 1:45 | Norman, Oklahoma
|
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
| 2 matches | 1 win | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 0 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Lose | 1-1 | Roy Nelson
|
Decision (Majority) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights | 2 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada
|
Quarter-finals | |
| Win | 1-0 | Wes Sims
|
Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights | 1 | Las Vegas, Nevada
|
Preliminary bout |
References
- ^ http://www.dmacc.edu/boone/BooneBanner/2007/February%207,%202007.pdf
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Pro Mma Fighter Spotlight: Justin Wren : Pro Mma Now". Promma.info. 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "PRO MMA FIGHTER SPOTLIGHT: JUSTIN WREN". ProMMA.com. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ "Sherdog Fight Finder: Justin Wren". Sherdog. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- ^ "http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Exclusive-FiveKnucklescom-interview-with-Justin-Wren.html". FiveKnuckles.com. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
{{cite web}}: External link in|title= - ^ Friel, Todd (2010-03-05). "Justin Wren Fights, Fight Pastor Prays". FightPastor.com. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "Justin Wren vs. John Madsen set for Ultimate Fighter Finale". Aroundtheoctagon.com. 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ "Justin Wren Released by UFC; Tim Credeur Injured, Withdraws From Fight - MMA Fighting". Mma.fanhouse.com. Retrieved 2011-02-26.