The Unlikely Journey of Phil De Fries: From Struggle to Triumph

Mental health is a crucial aspect of an athlete's journey, and Phil De Fries is a testament to this fact. Today, he stands as one of the world's most dominant MMA champions. De Fries is the KSW heavyweight titleholder, aiming to defend his title for the 12th time against Arkadiusz Wrzosek at KSW 107 in Poland. His journey to the top was not easy. He had to overcome numerous challenges, including mental health issues, to reach where he is today. The path to success for De Fries was not straightforward. He started his professional MMA career in 2009 and quickly rose to prominence. Within two years, he was called to join the UFC. His debut was impressive, winning a decision over Rob Broughton. However, his journey in the UFC was short-lived. He suffered back-to-back knockouts, leading to his exit from the organization. This period was tough for De Fries. He was dealing with anxiety and other issues outside the cage. He struggled to find his footing, even losing to a journeyman with a 5-6 record. De Fries admits that he was not aware of his anxiety condition. He thought it was normal behavior. His upbringing and the pressure of fighting in the UFC took a toll on his mental health. He turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with his anxiety. He reached a point where he thought he would never fight again. His mental health issues were so severe that he even contemplated suicide. De Fries credits therapy and medication for his recovery. He started seeing a doctor and was prescribed medication to manage his anxiety. This was a turning point in his career. He hasn't lost a fight since he started his treatment. He enjoys fighting now, something he couldn't imagine a few years ago. He is now a world champion, earning well and fighting in big stadiums. His journey is a reminder that mental health is crucial in an athlete's journey. It's not just about physical strength but also mental resilience. De Fries' opponent, Arkadiusz Wrzosek, is a local veteran with an impressive kickboxing career. He is undefeated in MMA and has a knockout win over the legendary Badr Hari. De Fries does not expect to out-strike Wrzosek but is confident in his MMA skills. He plans to take the fight to the ground, where he believes he has an advantage. The fight promises to be an exciting one, with both fighters having something to prove.