MMA Fighter Teams Up With OKC Organization To 'Fight For People'

Mixed martial arts is typically an individual sport. But one fighter needed the help of one local organization to take on his newest opponent, one that takes him far from the ring.

Meet the man who's gone from fighting against people to fighting for people. His fight name is Justin The Viking, surprised?

"Haven't been clean-shaven in 11 years," said Justin Wren, MMA fighter and Freedom Fighter Founder.

The ferocity Justin Wren shows in the ring also adds to the aura. But unlike his hair, his life has changed drastically..

“And I found that I don't just have to be known for fighting against people, but I can be known for fighting for people," said Wren.

Battling depression and addiction, Wren slowed down, found his faith and had a vision to fight for the forgotten. He ended up in the Congo with the endangered Pygmy people.

"The chief pulled me to the side and said, 'Everyone calls us the forest people, but we call ourselves the forgotten,' and all of a sudden I thought, 'woah,'” Wren said.

Knowing this is where he belonged, Wren knew he needed to tap out of the ring and into the forest, with the people enslaved on land they once owned and paid two bananas per family of five. 

Clean water was also a need, so Wren partnered with OKC organization “Water 4.” Together they buy back land, give it to the people and teach them to drill.

Now Pygmy people own over 2,400 acres of land, have nearly 30 wells, and the ability to feed hundreds of people. All of this is just the beginning for this Viking's quest of salvation.

"This is my fight, this is my journey and it's not temporary, it's life long,” said Wren. "My love for the Pygmy has become an unshakable burden, like I can't escape it even if I tried."

Wren will be at Best of Books at 6 p.m. Thursday for a book signing if you would like to meet him.