Conquering Anxiety has Made Phil De Fries a Complete Fighter

When we think of heavyweight fighters we think about these big fearless men, the baddest dudes on the planet, the kings of the fight game.... From days of Rocky Marciano to Muhammed Ali to Mike Tyson in boxing to the newer sport of MMA and the list of heavyweights who rose to the top, there has always been a draw like no other to see heavyweights go at it.

"When I come out I have supreme confidence but I’m scared to death. I’m totally afraid, I’m afraid of everything. I’m afraid of losing, I’m afraid of being humiliated," this is what Mike Tyson said during one of documentaries. This gives us an insight into what can actually go through a fighters mind in the build-up to a fight. Here Tyson, one of the best boxers ever, spoke of his fear saying that he had dreams of his opponent beating him but that it also gave him the motivation to win.

For Phil De Fries it was a little bit different. His anxiety, which was crippling at times, affected his life inside and outside of cage. "There were times I couldn’t answer the phone to friends," he said. "Now imagine what it was like for me to wait for a fight backstage and then to go out and compete in front of a crowd."

Standing at 6"4, a record of 14-6, and pushing the 265lbs heavyweight limit, the UK’s Phil De Fries has competed all over the world, including the UFC between 2011 and 2013. But it wasn’t until a loss in 2015 that he sought help for his anxiety.

"After I lost to Thomas Denham that’s when I got help. I hit rock bottom with that fight," explained De Fries. "Massive respect to him but, for me, a fighter of my capabilities I should beat him ten times out of ten but my anxiety once again hindered me. I had no clarity in my movement and thinking during that fight. I spoke to a counsellor and got the appropriate medication I need and it has turned my life around."

Following a near two year break from the sport, the longest during his pro career, De Fries returned to face Denham and won via TKO just over a minute into the first round. Finally things were coming together for the Sunderland native.

"Returning and beating Thomas was great. For the first time I felt like me in there," said De Fries.

Since coming back he is 3-1 in MMA and in his last fight in Bellator he scored a first round submission win over vet James Thompson in his last fight. This win caught the attention of KSW and soon after the 31-year-old was signed to compete for the vacant heavyweight title at KSW 43 on April 14. Opposite him will be Michal Andryszak (20-6), a 25-year-old fighter with 19 first round TKO/KO wins to his name. But De Fries is confident in himself now and in his own abilities.

"Fighting in the UFC, that happened way too early for me. I had the jiu jitsu but I didn’t have the boxing or even the wrestling to help me on that side of things in MMA. Now I am so much more better on all fronts and my anxiety is no longer an issue," smiled De Fries. "Andryszak is good, really good! For this fight I have trained for five rounds but my goal is to finish it early. I want to put him on his back and punch him until his gives up a submission. I want that belt and I want to become KSW champion and really grow into this promotion."

Phil De Fries (14-6) vs. Michal Andryszak (20-6) and KSW 43 will take place April 14 live from Wroclaw, Poland and you will be able to watch it live from anywhere in the world on www.KSWTV.com.

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Conquering Anxiety has Made Phil De Fries a Complete Fighter

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