Former NFL hopeful Anthony Wint says gambling addiction eclipsed his UFC fights

Anthony Wint, once an undrafted free-agent signed by the New York Jets, recounted a gambling problem that began in college when he turned a $300 stake into $1,000. The win triggered a habit that lasted eight years, leaving him broke, homeless and hungry after his NFL comeback fell through. He survived by living out of his car and depleting his savings on bets.

Recently, Wint secured a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, delivering a first-round knockout of Matthew Adams on Dana White's Contender Series and a swift finish of Terrance Chatman at UFC Sacramento. Despite the rapid turnaround between fights, he says resisting the lure of Las Vegas slot machines and blackjack tables was a greater challenge than any opponent. He credits his faith for helping him overcome the addiction.