TSR Exclusive! The Antwain Britt Interview

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By Curtis Clontz

The Ultimate Fighter is the biggest and baddest MMA reality series of them all! Champions and many contenders have risen to fame due to the show. Virginia Beach’s own Antwain Britt could be the next in line for MMA superstardom.

This past Wednesday, Antwain made his TUF debut, as they aired the first show of the season. Antwain was shown several times talking throughout the show. They also showed his fight which awarded him a bed in the TUF house.

Britt is a very busy man but took time out of his schedule to conduct an interview with me. We here at TSR will continue to be on the forefront of the Antwain Britt story as he climbs to the top, as well as your one stop place for Tidewater MMA.

If you have anything that you would like to ask Antwain, leave it in the comments section. I will do my best to get it to him and provide you with an answer.

The Interview

Curtis Clontz: First off, congratulations on making in onto the show. That in itself is a huge accomplishment.

Antwain Britt: Thank you, it feels good to be noticed for something you love doing so much.


CC: Before we talk about the show, tell me about your MMA career before the show?

AB: Well, I was 5-0 as an ammy with 4 K.O's and as a pro I'm 5-0 with 5 K.O's. Needless to say I'm a striker.

Note from Curtis:

Antwain is definitely a striker. He has won most of his fights in less than 1:30 and comes from Hybrid which is known for their striking.


CC: You train at Hybrid Academy of Martial Arts in VA Beach. Tell us about that school and how it has prepared you for this moment.

AB: Well, my coach Buck Grant told me from my first fight that I had the potential to be very good. From that point I trained up and with the help of some good sparring partners, and good conditioning I'm where I am now. I believe that if I would have gotten with any other camp I would be nowhere as good as I am now.


CC: Tell me about the TUF tryout. Did it have the feel of football tryouts? What all did they have you do to show your skills?

AB: Actually, I didn't have to tryout. Joe Silva (the match maker for the UFC) contacted me and asked would I like him to send my info to the producers of the show. Three days later I got a call from them. I put a video of my fights together and training footage and I got invited to Vegas.


CC: There is no question that you are the next big thing to come out of Virginia Beach. On the first episode of this season, fans around the world will get their first glimpse of you. For those fans, is there anything you want to say?

AB: Yes, I'd like to thank them in advance. You have to realize that three years ago I was a regular working stiff. I'm thankful to be where I am now. I'm always aware of what the fans need from me. I'll always take the extra pic or sign the extra autograph for my people. It's been said but I really do love my fans.


Note from Curtis:
Antwain has always been more than happy to do an interview, answer questions, or provide me information. Success has not gone to his head, and he is one of the most down to earth professional athletes you will ever meet.


CC: When you showed up with the other guys and had a chance to fight your way onto the show, what was the mood like in the room?

AB: It was a cloud of insecurity. There were so many guys from so many different parts of the world, nobody knew anyone else. So needless to say the tension was thick. There were a lot of good guys there and I made some good friends.


CC: Dana White has said the next Anderson Silva is on this season's TUF--that's you right?

AB: Damn right, (laughing). No, I'm not sure who he was talking about, but my goal is to put on a show!


CC: We have seen from the previews that one fighter had a very hard time cutting the weight. I know you had to cut a good amount of weight for the show--did you have any problems?

AB: Na, no problems with weight. I eat pretty well year round so I stay pretty close. I cut weight in a smart way also. I stepped off the plane about 210lb.


CC: Did the UFC or associated officials do anything to assist with the weight cutting or did they step back and let you guys do what you do?

AB: They set us up with everything we needed to cut, but the work was on us.


CC: In every season of TUF many of the fighters have changed weight classes after the show. What do you think the main reason is for this, and does it hurt or help the UFC?

AB: You always want to be the big fish, I'd rather be a huge 205er then a small heavyweight. I think that’s the biggest reason. I think if you have the talent then the weight class doesn’t matter.


CC: How early once taping started did the coaches start helping?

AB: Immediately, the coaches were great. I’ve always been a Frank Mir fan, now even more so.


CC: Did your opinion about the UFC change after being on the show?

AB: Not at all. The UFC is the big dawgs of MMA.


CC: At this time, what is your goal in MMA?

AB: To be the biggest star I possibly can through quality wins and a sound business plan.


CC: Are there any sponsors or anyone that you would like to thank?

AB: For sure. I'd like to thank Max nutrition, XS energy drink, 55gear, Fightniteoutlets, Swampdogkennels, Igoo designs, Star mouthguards, Team Hybrid and Patriot fighter and all my team at Hybrid academy.


CC: In closing, do you have any additional comments about the show or anything you want to share?

AB: Tune in Wednesdays at 10pm [on the Spike channel] to see me do my thing.

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If you did tune in, then you saw what the juggernaut is all about. Antwain is truly a force to be reckoned with in the cage. Make sure you tune in next week and see what trouble the fighters cause, as well as follow Britt in his quest to be The Ultimate Fighter.

If you have not signed up for email alerts when a new story drops on TSR, this is the time! News about Britt, MMA, local sports, and our column of Curtis Sounds Off will be uploaded frequently.