Antwain Britt – From Diamond in the Rough to “The Juggernaut”

By Rhett Butler
Shine Fights Staff Writer

Antwain Britt is a pure athlete.  Born up for challenges, at all costs, it is no wonder that the allure of mixed martial arts has captured and dominated Britt’s present life.  So it is no wonder that at this point in his relatively nascent mixed martial arts career he finds himself the poster boy of the world’s newest truly world-class MMA promotion, Shine Fights.  According to Britt, it feels good just to be recognized as one of the best.

“I did this because I love to fight, after my first fight I was hooked on this but it’s also a business; it’s also about who can draw, sell tickets and bring the fans in.  It’s good to be in a position where people call you and say they want you on their event because you will make the event better.  It’s a really good feeling because we as fighters take a lot of pride in what we do so to have that sort of notoriety and reputation is great.”

Hailing from the Chesapeake, Hampton Roads, Virginia area Britt was the middle of three boys born to a single mother.  After giving her a self-professed “fit” he found himself first finding solace on the football field and wrestling mat dually.  In a region where natural athletes are churned smooth like butter and cream, Britt is the newest addition to the Tidewater’s notorious athlete family.

“College scouts and pro scouts they’ve been tapping this area for years.  Michael Vick, Alan Iverson, Brandon Vera there are elite athletes that come out of this area.  I think the only difference between here and other areas where a lot of elite athletes come from is the lack of exposure.  We’re kind of in shadows of the melting pot that is the east coast where it is hard to find diamonds in the rough but there are a lot of diamonds in the rough here.”

The proof was in the pudding though for Britt and his experience as an amateur solidified his ability to become a professional in MMA.  After tearing through the fierce competitors dwelling in the Virginia amateur ranks, he knew this was his calling.

“I fought some really good amateurs and in this area a lot if the amateurs are hesitant to go pro just because of the lack of exposure; the guys that are amateurs have been amateurs for a long time and are really good at it.  I’m a heavyweight and I was really undersized for a heavyweight and I would go in and destroy these guys.  Twenty-second knockouts, Forty-seven second knockouts, 1-minute knockouts I ran through all the competition that I could at the amateur ranks.  I couldn’t find a fight and you couldn’t pay people to fight me at amateur so it was just a natural progression to go pro.”

As the professional fights came so did he wins and a penchant for TKO and knockout’s.

“I have really heavy hands so most of my fights do end up on my feet.  If I land one on you it’s going to rock you.  I like to think that I’m a really well-rounded fighter I have a lot of really good striking attributes, I’m really light on my feet, really quick so it helps in my whole striking range.”

However, not every fighter can be a Rashad Evans or a Lyoto Machida and losses are just a part of the game.  Britt’s came in the form of Shine Fight’s Heavyweight, Bryan Vettel in another MMA organization.  It was a loss that still stings Britt because he doesn’t view it as legitimate and legitimacy is everything for Britt on his road to success.

“I’ve been trying to get that fight back for years.  That fight was a one round exhibition fight for an alternate spot in a tournament.  It was called Yamma Pit Fighting and he comes out rushing me I flip on the fighting surface ridge and he just lays on me for three minutes.  The referee finally got tired of seeing nothing happen and he stood us up.  I hit him with a jab cross it drops him I mount him and beat up on him and time ran out before I can finish the job.  A lot of press covered that event and said I won that fight but unfortunately they gave him the win and I really don’t know why.  He had to be literally carried out of the arena, he got beat up pretty bad in that fight but its just one of those things that is a learning experience.”

This Saturday, however, Britt faces a game opponent in Antonio Mendes who will undoubtedly be looking to show the world he can steal this up and comer’s newfound glory.  According to Britt this next challenge will only be great for those smart enough to watch it live.

“We’re both strikers we’re going to go in there and bang, throw knees and elbows at each other and it’s really a good fight for the fans.  You have two guys who are really established in their (respective) games.  You have Antonio who comes in as a striker and you have me who comes in as a striker and it’s going to be a really good fight for the fans to watch.”

As the day nears closer to Britt adding to his wins or taking a step back in his master plan all Britt can think about is the people who he hopes to entertain for years to come.  As a fighter who thrives off the showmanship and challenges that await him from matchmakers like, Shine Fights’ Ron Foster, Britt relishes on the week ahead.

“Any fan you talk to that has seen my fights will tell you it’s something that you want to see because there’s going to be some fireworks.  Everyone in the Columbus area come out and check out the fights.  If you see me in town before then please come up to me, act like you know me and we’ll chop it up a little bit.  I’m a really huge fan of my fans and I just look forward to going out there and doing my thing.”