Justin Wren
Justin Wren (born April 27, 1987) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, humanitarian, author , and keynote speaker , renowned for founding the nonprofit organization Fight for the Forgotten , which supports indigenous Pygmy communities in Central Africa through initiatives providing clean water, land rights, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
Wren began his MMA career in 2006, competing as a heavyweight under the nickname "The Big Pygmy" and amassing a professional record of 13 wins and 2 losses, with notable victories including submissions against Roman Pizzolato at Bellator 174 in 2017 and Josh Robertson in 2010. His losses came via split decision to Jon Madsen at UFC The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale in 2009 and TKO to Matt Thompson in 2007, while he also participated in The Ultimate Fighter Season 10, where he submitted Wes Sims but lost a majority decision exhibition to Roy Nelson. Despite early success in regional promotions like Ring of Fire and Art of War, Wren's fighting career was marked by personal struggles, including bullying in childhood, injuries, painkiller addiction , depression, and a suicide attempt , which ultimately led him to question the purpose of his athletic achievements.
In 2013, following a transformative trip to live among the Mbuti Pygmy people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Wren founded Fight for the Forgotten as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to holistic community development through five pillars: dignity, health, education , livelihoods, and longevity . As of 2023, the organization has drilled over 100 water wells serving more than 52,000 people, acquired over 3,000 acres of land for tribal ownership, replanted thousands of trees, provided skills training to dozens and healthcare to over 1,000 individuals, and assisted 1,800 people in escaping modern-day slavery and transitioning to self-sufficiency. As of 2025, it continues to expand with recent land acquisitions and vocational training programs. Wren documented his journey in the 2015 memoir Fight for the Forgotten: How a Mixed Martial Artist Stopped Fighting for Himself and Started Fighting for Others , which inspired his work as a motivational speaker on topics like overcoming adversity, mental health , leadership , and sustainable change.
Justin Wren was born on April 27, 1987, in Greenville, Mississippi , and relocated with his family to Fort Worth, Texas , during his early childhood.
Growing up in Texas , Wren endured severe bullying during his childhood, which left him feeling isolated and insecure; he often sat alone at lunch and faced relentless torment from peers, including physical attacks in school locker rooms. His parents provided crucial support during this difficult period, encouraging him to channel his struggles into positive outlets and helping him discover wrestling as a means to build confidence and escape the harassment. Wren has described his mother as "the best mom ever," highlighting the familial encouragement that helped him navigate early hardships.
In high school at Bishop Lynch in Dallas , Texas , Wren found wrestling to be a vital outlet for his personal insecurities, transforming his experiences with bullying into motivation for athletic success; he noted that "wrestlers don’t get bullied," which drew him to the sport as a way to reclaim his sense of strength and belonging.
Justin Wren distinguished himself as an elite amateur wrestler during his high school years in Texas , where he competed at Bishop Lynch High School after starting his career as a one-man wrestling team at Southwest Christian High School. Under the guidance of Olympic gold medalists Kenny Monday and Kendall Cross , he captured two Texas prep state championships, establishing a strong foundation in the sport.
Wren's accomplishments extended to national levels, earning him five All-American honors and two national championships overall.
