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Poplar Bluff native to fight, and pray, at MMA event at Black River Coliseum
When Teejay Britton is finished punching his opponent in the middle of a cage at the Black River Coliseum on Saturday, the youth minister will kneel down to pray.
Britton got into MMA as another way for a former professional athlete to stay in shape.
Britton (2-0) will face Nathan Trepagnier (2-1) as the main event in a 14-fight card Saturday. The first fight is at 7 p.m. and tickets range from $20-50.
"I look at (MMA) as a sport, I trained for it, I prepare myself for it like any other sport and then I come out and do what I have to do," said Britton, who is dedicating this fight to his father Raymond who passed away in October 2016. "I don't throw the Bible at nobody, I don't beat any people up with the Bible, I just try to live my life as best I can and love on people."
This is where Britton feels God put him to spread His message, in the middle of a violent blood sport often filled and surrounded by literal representations of Dante's seven deadly sins.
After one amateur fight, where Britton beat his ranked opponent in an upset win, he asked the other fighter if he could pray. The man was frustrated and upset after the loss. He gave Britton a look and said absolutely. At the time Britton didn't think anything of it, he just wanted to pray.
Months later Britton found out the man rededicated his life to Christ, got married and had become very active in his church in Oklahoma. Britton even visited the church to visit the man and see how things were going.
"It's a pretty cool thing to see God do something like that," Britton said.
In his two wins, Britton had a TKO in the first round and won the second by submission with a rear naked choke in the first round.
"This one I'm going into it being very aggressive and very active and put on a show for my hometown," Britton said.
He's had contract offers from Bellator and other companies and has the long-term goal of reaching the UFC. Of late he's been training with UFC fighters and it has given him a good idea of what it takes to reach that level. Knowing exactly where the bar is set has made him hungrier. The time he loses with his family for training adds fuel, as well.
As a youth minister and MMA fighter, he is about as active as it gets. He also brings his message to the gym he trains out of in Joplin and will often stop teaching younger fighters in order to pray for those in his life who need it.
Britton, who trains for about six weeks for any fight, has two nephews playing sports at Poplar Bluff high school. He'll have time to see a game or two a year. Britton will miss dinners and his kids' games and says it all motivates him to reach his goals.
In trying to be a light in a dark world, Britton's light will shine brighter the higher he climbs MMA ladder. For him, this light isn't tainted by landing haymakers and bending arms, by rear naked chokes and knee strikes. This isn't fighting.
"I don't go in mad and I don't a fight out of anger," Britton said.
For Britton, this is just like any other sport. He trains as if this is basketball, track, soccer, wrestling, or football. It's just a sport serving as a vehicle for His mission.
Britton played basketball and ran in high school for the Poplar Bluff Mules.
In college, he set records, running the 400-meters in 45.2 seconds and the 800 in 1:46.9. Ran track professionally for about five months but didn't love it. Britton came back to Poplar Bluff where his family pushed him to continue his education. He opted to use basketball to go to Mineral Area where he ended up making all-conference, all-region and honorable mention All-American during his two years there. Then it was off to Missouri Southern for two more years where he started every game.
Britton tried out the Houston Rockets practice squad before playing overseas in a handful of countries. After that, he returned to the ministry and is currently a youth pastor at Calvary Chapel in Joplin.
He picked up boxing as a way to stay in shape after his basketball career came to an end and boxing led to MMA and a fight in his hometown Saturday.