In the past two weeks (in Congo) I’ve had three vivid dreams relating to me and fighting. It’s truly got my heart in a tug-O-war match that I’m not used to. That’s why I’m coming for advice from my UG homies and ridiculous wisdom from a few keyboard warriors in their mom’s basement.
Some of you might know that I fought on TUF 10, and my record is 13-2, I won my last three fights, and I walked away from the sport at 23 years old just over FOUR years ago. Wow, long time. I stepped away from the sport in confidence. I think my life literally was saved from being a depressed, drunk, drug addict. I should have overdosed and died on a few occasions. I did overdose once, and survived with no medical attention. Anyways, thank God that I’ve been set free from that lifestyle and addictions… I see whats happening to War Machine and feel like I’ve been spared from something similar or worse (death). I talk about some of that here on The Joe Rogan Experience. (JRE #337 )
Since 2011, I’ve been coming on trips to the Congo. To my Pygmy family. I have two names here… Efeosa and Mbuti MangBO. Efeosa means “The man who loves us” and Mbuti MangBO means “The big Pygmy.” So far this last year here the organization I started (which The UG helped lift off!) has secured 10 square kilometers of land in the name of my Pygmy family. That is 10 different plots of land totaling 2,470 acres and allowed us to establish 10 new villages. My team here (staff of 12 AMAZING Congolese) have negotiated the peaceful release of SOME of the Pygmies “the other tribe” enslaved. We’ve seen a little over 1,000 people move out of a life of slavery to living a life of freedom (I’ve got some pretty amazing video interviews with people from both sides of the coin). We are trying to bless the mess out of my Pygmy family and love the hell out of their former slavemasters by bringing in water and farming projects. The farming projects will hopefully begin soon (when funds come in) and in two days we complete water well number 12. That is the 3rd water well for the former slavemasters. My fiance is here now, and this will be a two month stay for her. She was just given her Pygmy name, Lusume Kumateli which means “Chosen by us” and “Belongs here.” I really believe my life is so much better having become family with these people. I would be completely satisfied with my life if I lived in a Pygmy hut (twigs and leaves) and slept on the ground… But saw PEOPLE set free from slavery, waterborne disease (I’ve held dead children and infants and buried them), and hunger… This is why my heart is in a tug of war.
The dreams I had were quite vivid. The first was me training for a fight… I knew it had been a hard road back to get healthy, to work the kinks out, and to get back into fight shape.
The second dream was me at two different weigh ins. The first was at a smaller promotion but it wasn’t a podunk one. Then after I weighed in and stepped off the scale my name was being called and I was walking out on a stage at the big show to weigh in. I knew it was a big promotion. It felt like the UFC. I stepped on the scale, smiled, and then woke up.
The third dream was last night. I woke up with the same excitement and anticipation of when I used to step into fight. The dream started with me bouncing around and hearing my opponents music wrapping up. My team was behind me and I heard my music come on. I started walking out of the tunnel and their was a huge crowd. I got to the cage, hugged my corner, got vaseline on, and started to climb my way up their stairs into the cage. As I entered I put my left hand up to my right shoulder and patted a new tattoo… It was a Fight For The Forgotten tattoo with the Logo and like a warriors crest. I stepped in, felt at home, then I woke up.
Anyways the Tug-O-War match I’m in is churning my stomach up into knots and confusing my whole vision. I felt like fighting against people was over and fighting for people had begun. Also, I think I would really be content if this is all that ever happens, I love the life in Congo. However, there is something brewing in my spirit. Saying that I could make a comeback, at least try. That I could fulfill my first promise to the Pygmies I ever made. The Chief asked me, “No one knows of our suffering, except the ones who don’t care or benefit from it, can you help us have a voice?” to which I simply responded, “Yes” to. I feel if fighting worked out, I would be able to give the Pygmies plight a platform it wouldn’t have otherwise. I also might be the first dude to fight for a purpose, or for a people… I know that would give my preparation an added kick in the behind and would put a bigger “umph” behind each punch. I’d know that each time I step in there is a chance to grab the mic, to tell the audience from my winnings “X number of water wells will be dug” or “X amount of land will be purchased” or “X amount of new crops will be planted” or “X amount of new, better, sustainable homes will be built for my Pygmy family.”
Anyways, just some thoughts that are running through my head and that are really tugging at my heart. I come back to the states October 12th. I get married to my beautiful bride to be November 15th. And I corner my bestfriend and bestman Josh “The CuddlyBear” Copeland on November 22nd. (By the way, click here for the thread I started about Josh’s UFC debut, also, he could used sponsors!)
What say you Teh UG? What would be some pro’s and con’s that I have to look at and assess. I wouldn’t post this unless I was seriously thinking of trying to make a comeback… But I need some help seeing how this could play out from all angles.
Would love to see you back in there. You know the UG will support you no matter what. 
I haven't posted on your previous threads Justin, but I always read them and think you're a genuinely good man.
Fate has probably led you to help all those people and I think it will serve you well to continue to follow your instincts.
You're a fighter - in every sense of the word - so I see no reason why you can't come back and be stronger/better than ever.
Mihow - I was going to go to sleep an hour ago but didn't because I wanted to read your post and it was well worth it.I'm tentative to say it, because I haven't fought in so long... But I guess that would be my ultimate dream. Combining my two dreams and meshing them together seamlessly... Fighting people in a competitive way that would propel me to fight FOR people in a critical/meaningful way.
When you become UFC HW champion in 4 years you can help the People even more.
Not sure how many training partners will fly to the Congo tho ... Maybe Cheick ??
FHRITP! 
RoyNelsonsTVDinner - I haven't posted on your previous threads Justin, but I always read them and think you're a genuinely good man.Thanks for posting this!
Fate has probably led you to help all those people and I think it will serve you well to continue to follow your instincts.
You're a fighter - in every sense of the word - so I see no reason why you can't come back and be stronger/better than ever.
A few factors that I need to get checked out is my body, physically. I twisted up my knee here pretty good on a muddy path crossing over a tree with an 80 lb pack on my back.
I also had malaria so bad and it can resurface from time to time when the body gets stressed out (I hear, but haven't had that problem).
I've been really focused on helping a village that has several people that have tuberculosis, now I'm having coughing spells from time to time. So I need to get checked up at a proper hospital in the states.
For me to come back it will take overcoming some things. But jumping over a thousand obstacles is always worth hurdling for the right kind of victory.
Come back to fighting. You can help people even more with fame and money, you'll have a larger platform.
You were an insane talent too, so young. You're still young too.
MegaCholo2000 - FHRITP!What does this mean?
I expected a few... "AAARRRGGGHHHH's" after the double post I accidentally made... But this was before that.
You only live in the flesh once brother. You gotta do what makes you happy. Fighting wont stop you from helping your pigmy family in the future. By fighting, you can gain more attention for the cause and maybe that will lead to more people helping out. I think if you are having these visions, it is what your soul longs for. Whatever you decide, good luck and be happy brother.
I'll be posting on this in a bit. Gotta take a cold shower before a lunch meeting. Cold shower because I just got running water in my place in a month but don't have power.
Thanks for everyone's thoughts and advice!
Believe in yourself. You have a strong heart. You can do anything your heart compels you to do. I believe in you. You are a king among men.
If you don't make a comeback you will be looking back one day and say the good ol phrase.. "What if"
Just my two cents. You're a great dude.
You're an awesome person and you're quest is a noble cause, freedom and liberty for the pygmies. A bigger stage, a bigger platform would make your quest easiest or at least you would get more attention which is always a good thing.
"You lose nothing when fighting for a cause ... In my mind the losers are those who don't have a cause they care about"
You have an amazing cause and that motivation will mean you excel.... Get yourself checked up at hospital when back in US and then get back in fighting shape! Best of luck Justin.
The choice is yours to make however you know we will support you either way! Keep up the fight mate!
Reading your post I was thinking you should stay away from the sport. Four years is a long time to be away from the sport, especially at the highest level. No need to get beat up and go through the grueling training camps and days of training. You've so done a ton to help out the Pygmies over the last few years.
Having said that, if fighting is really what you want to do, you should go for it. You only get one life to live and why have this regret about not fighting if it's something you really want to do. Fighting is one of those things that has a shelf life that you have to do earlier rather than later in life.
Hope you decide to do whatever it is you really want to do and go for it.
Was it old Britney or transformed Britney in your weigh-in dreams?
Only you know what's right for you. I know I'd love to see you back in a big show fighting for yourself and your new family and promoting their cause to a big audience. It's movie plot material especially if you fly one of the pygmies in to celebrate with you in the cage post fight.
I think what you've done is amazing, Justin. Takes a special kind of person to do that. If you still got that itch, if you "still got some stuff left in the basement", then I think you won't be satisfied until you step back in there and see if you still have it, which we know you do.
Best of luck and well all be following you along the way.
It doesn't have to be an either/or decision. You and the rest of your staff can do the work there digging the wells and setting up villages. But they likely can't (re)train to become a world class fighter and get their face on the big stage. So even if you decide to fight again it's not like you'll have to keep quiet about your last four years. Quite the opposite in fact. Being on-site putting in the work is important but exposure is also an important aspect of charity. The training you would put in doesn't take away from the time you'd spend in villages, it IS putting in time for the villages. You would be investing that time and effort not only to test yourself and make a run at your own dream, but also for the opportunity to raise awareness for a whole lot more people than the animals on the UG :). That's the way I look at it. Just look at what the ice bucket challenge did. It was nothing more than people dumping cold water. But it caught on and wormed its way into our national consciousness for a time and it wound up being a boondoggle for ALS charities. Exposure is a powerful thing, people can't help if they don't know what you're doing. Your hiatus and your comeback has a story, I say give the powers that be a reason to help you tell it.
Justin, pray about it man. I know you love God and He works in you and with you. Don't stress out about these decisions since He already has it all planned out. I feel like if you're getting pulled that way then there isn't any use fighting it. I'd love to see you back in there fighting for a cause you're so passionate about, and I think it would take your skills to the next level (having the pygmies as your driving factor to work hard). Hope that is any kind of help.