Wint Says NFL Experience Shields Him From UFC Spotlight

Former New York Jets linebacker Anthony Wint claims his time in professional football inoculated him against the pressures of fighting on mixed martial arts' biggest stage.

Wint, who carries an undefeated 8-0 record into his second UFC appearance against Lucas Armand at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City, told Sherdog he has grown immune to the celebrity treatment that can overwhelm new fighters. His camp roster includes top-ranked middleweights Gregory Rodrigues, Anthony Hernandez, and Reinier de Ridder, plus rising contenders Esteban Ribovics and Roman Dolidze.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Dana White's Contender Series, Season 10, Week 8 on Ticketmaster →

How NFL Stardom Prepared Wint For UFC Fame

The heavyweight said rubbing shoulders with elite combat athletes feels routine after years around NFL stars. "I played in the NFL and I'm used to being around the stars," Wint said, per Sherdog. "And I train with Esteban. My last fight, I literally sparred three or four of the top-ranked guys in the 185-pound division. So, you miss this star effect of, 'Dang, I'm in the UFC.' Because I already had that in the NFL and I saw how it worked and it didn't work."

Wint earned his contract on Dana White's Contender Series with a 34-second finish in August. He refused to leave Las Vegas without a debut booking and submitted his first UFC opponent 11 days later in Sacramento, collecting two first-round finishes in less than two weeks.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Dana White's Contender Series, Season 10, Week 8 on Ticketmaster →

The former linebacker faces another unbeaten prospect in Armand at Delta Center this Friday.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Former NFL linebacker says UFC's 'star effect' doesn't work on him