A former heavy weighter, fighter shows 'Ultimate' potential

VIRGINIA BEACH

When he walked into Hybrid Academy of Martial Arts in Virginia Beach two years ago, Antwain Britt looked like a prime candidate for a reality TV show. But it wasn't "The Ultimate Fighter," the mixed martial arts competition he will appear on tonight on Spike TV.

At a cookie or two shy of 300 pounds, the former high school wrestler and football player seemed a better fit for "The Biggest Loser," the weight-loss competition on NBC.

"It kind of snuck up on me," Britt said of the 100 pounds he had gained since graduating from Indian River High in 1997.

The 6-foot-1 Britt ballooned to 315 before joining a local gym. Not satisfied with the results he was getting, he took a friend's advice and headed to Hybrid Academy, where he told owner Buck Grant he wanted to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the major leagues of mixed martial arts.

Of course you do, Grant thought.

"I get that pretty much every day, on a regular basis," he said.

It didn't take long for Grant to realize Britt, 30, was not just another guy off the street. Even carrying all that extra weight, it was apparent the big man had talent. He had uncanny speed for his size and, with his wrestling background, knew how to handle himself on the mat.

Three months after he arrived, Britt, who had melted to 250 pounds through diet and strenuous cardio workouts, won his first amateur fight. Now a trim 205, he has been fighting professionally for about 18 months and, depending on whose record-keeping you believe, is either 4-1 or 5-0 in pro fights. All of his wins have come by knockout.

"Honestly, Antwain has the potential to be a future UFC champ," Grant said. "He has knockout power with both hands, he's very fast for his weight and he's learning new skills at an alarming rate. He just gets better and better every time he steps in the cage."

Joe Silva, Richmond-based matchmaker for the UFC, took notice and helped Britt get a slot on "The Ultimate Fighter." The reality show takes 32 lesser-known and up-and-coming fighters and pits them against one another. The last man standing receives a six-figure contract from the UFC. Other fighters who do well can also land deals with the UFC, though the terms are not as lucrative.

The series was filmed in May in Las Vegas. Britt signed a confidentiality agreement that prevents him from saying what happened.

"I can't say a lot, other than I went out there, I had a lot of fun and I met 31 other fighters," he said.

Fighters lived and trained together before squaring off. The show builds story lines around the inevitable clashes and rivalries that develop in such a testosterone-fueled environment.

"They try to bring in a lot of different personalities in order to get the best effect on camera," Britt said. "Fighters have no problem letting you know they don't like you, but I get along pretty much with everybody.

"They bring in some guys for their character and some guys for their fighting ability. I was one of the guys they brought in because I'm a good fighter."

With Britt's wrestling background, Grant thought his strength would be as a "ground-and-pound" fighter who took opponents to the mat. Surprisingly, Britt's strength is as a striker who likes to stay on his feet.

"Right around fight three, we realized he had heavy hands when he knocked a guy out in 20 seconds," Grant said.

Now Britt uses his wrestling background to stay on his feet and prevent opponents from taking him down. When he does shoot for an opponent's legs, "it's like a freight train coming," Grant said.

Britt has picked up sponsors who allow him to train full time. Friendly and outgoing, he has a Web site, a nickname ("The Juggernaut") and his eyes on bigger things. His next fight is Oct. 11 in Fairfax against Rick Roufus, a former full-contact kickboxing world champion-turned MMA fighter.

It could be Britt's last fight in the region. He's debating a move to the West Coast, where the MMA scene is livelier.

It's the same move UFC star Brandon Vera, a Norfolk native and Lake Taylor High graduate, made years ago. Grant, who was Vera's first Muay Thai instructor, said he thinks his latest pupil could have similar success.

"Keep your eyes on him," Grant said.

Ed Miller, (757) 446-2372, ed.miller@pilotonline.com