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Phil De Fries overcame crippling anxiety and UFC heartbreak before KSW heavyweight reign

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Darko Stosic becomes the latest to try and end his imposing reign.The Sunderland-born brawler has had a storied MMA career across 11 different promotions since his 2009 debut - finding an unlikely home on the continent after overcoming crippling anxiety.Talking frankly following his return to Poland this week, De Fries has told Daily Star Sport of his newfound freedom in entering the cage and how his career only really got started after his 30th birthday.Speaking from his hotel in Warsaw, he said: "I used to get picked on so I started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and ended up winning national competitions - and all the talk was about MMA, so I started that and kept winning."De Fries won eight fights in a row alongside a no contest, and quickly made a name for himself in the UFC courtesy of a unanimous decision victory over Rob Broughton back in 2011.That led to a bout against the equally promising Stipe Miocic, who has gone on to become one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of the sport.Behind the scenes, De Fries was facing a battle that scared him more than any opponent ever had, crippling anxiety that made the pressure surrounding his meeting with Miocic feel like 'hell'.He says: "I was so terrified of that fight.

He's a fantastic fighter and he probably would've won anyway, but I bottled that fight - which I've had to come to terms with."Will Phil De Fries defend his heavyweight belt?

Give us your prediction in the comments sectionDe Fries has been open about seeking treatment and receiving medication for the anxiety that could've ended his career prematurely, admitting last year that he had been held back by mental illness.

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