When one chooses to become a professional fighter, sacrifices have to be made.
Whether it’s time, the rigid diet or the ultimate toll that it takes on the body, fighters go through a lot to achieve their goals and become a top performer.
Justin “The General” Patton has made those sacrifices and more in hopes of achieving the goal of every MMA fighter: to sign a contract with UFC.
“I think that I’m a fight or two away and that if I can put away some wins, I can definitely make my stake,” Patton said.
Patton’s journey will continue Saturday when he squares off against Chuka “The Lion King” Willis in the co-main event of the 247 Fighting Championships’ Brawl in the Burgh 28 at the CFS Bank Event Center in Belle Vernon.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event starts at 6.
The fights will also be a pay-per view streaming event that can be purchased on the 247 Fighting Championships website.
Patton, a 31-year-old Plum native, began his MMA career when he was 19. When he was at work one day, Khama Worthy of the Fight Club Pittsburgh gym came in looking for a sponsorship.
“My boss at the time thought I was a tough kid,” Patton said. “Worthy invited me to the gym never thinking I would show up, but I did and I never left. I’ve been training and fighting ever since.”
It’s been a trying past 12 years for Patton, both inside and outside of the octagon.
In all his fights, he has come away with nothing worse than a cut, but he has endured some gruesome injuries in his training.
“In 2016, I ruptured my spleen, I lost one of my ‘family jewels’ in 2018 and, in 2019, I had my toe rip off. It was dislocated and went right through my skin,” Patton elaborated.
Patton said overtraining was the reason for those injuries when he was younger, but as he’s gotten older, he’s learned how to train properly, which is what keeps him fresh at 31.
“Training might beat you up, like I might get a sore shoulder or whatever, but if you have a consistent workout routine you will keep yourself fresh and crisp,” Patton said. “I feel like I’m 25 again and that I haven’t even reached my prime. You look at the champions in UFC and a lot of them are 35 or 36, so I’m just getting there.”
Of all the hardships that have shaped Patton as a fighter, nothing was more transformative than losing his brother in a motorcycle accident in 2019.
“I used to be very self-motivating,” Patton said. “I was more worried about the fame aspect of fighting, but now I’m more focused on family and talking about the glory of God.”
Patton’s home gym is the Mat Factory in Lower Burrell, where he has been training for the last three years.
He works on grappling, striking and strength conditioning and usually trains two or three times a day. He spends time boxing with trainer Christopher Williams, also known as the Yinzer Fight Coach.
“He’s great, as is Isaac Greeley, the owner,” Patton said. “Greeley is a wonderful mentor, and you won’t last at the Mat Factory if you don’t rise to the level he requires.”
Patton also spends some of his training time at Yauger Sports Performance in Leechburg.
One surprising place you’ll find Patton in and around the Alle-Kiski Valley is at the Monarch Hospice in Lower Burrell.
There are a number of patients there who like to watch Patton fight, and he’ll spend time there narrating some of his fights and explain what he was thinking or doing.
“You wouldn’t think that a lot of older folks would be interested in fighting, but you’d be surprised at how many actually follow the sport,” Patton said.
He will undoubtedly be dissecting Saturday’s fight with the residents of Monarch the next time he visits.
Willis, who is 5-foot-11 and a Kansas native, is the same age as Patton and has a two-fight win streak but hasn’t fought since Aug. 24.
Willis’ record is 14-7 and he has won six by knockout, two by submission and six by decision. He also has a 1-1 record in Bellator, a franchise under the umbrella of the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Patton, who is an inch shorter than Willis, comes in with an 8-3 record, has won four fights in a row and last fought in January.
Of his eight wins, Patton has won by knockout and submission twice and decision four times.
The two featherweights will battle for three rounds and 15 minutes, but Patton would like to end it before the match goes to decision.
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“I just have to enforce my will and beat him by being technically sound,” Patton said. “If worse comes to worst, I’ll try to make it a real dogfight.”
Patton’s preparation the day of the fight will begin with a workout at the Mat Factory at 10:30 a.m.
“I’ll take a blanket and a pillow with me and take a nap until 30 minutes before I fight,” Patton said. “Then I’ll get my hands wrapped up, and I’ll go handle my business.”
Patton’s nickname, “The General,” is a reference to General George Patton and was given to him by a boxing coach when he was younger.
“When I was a kid, I was kind of a nut,” Patton said. “General Patton used to do a lot of crazy things when he went off to war and I was that way as a kid, but I’ve settled down over the years.”
With his priorities and motivations in check, Patton strives to be humble and respectful as a fighter.
“Every fight is an experience for me,” Patton said. “It’s a chance for me to grow closer with God, spread his word. I feel like I’m developing into a better human being for my family and those around me.”
It’s been a long journey for Patton, but he’s only a part of the way there.