Phil De Fries delivers powerful message after KSW 95 victory

KSW World Heavyweight Champion Phil De Fries delivered an inspiring message after his victory at KSW 95.

His unanimous decision victory over Augusto Sakai all but cemented De Fries as the longest reigning champion in the promotion’s history, a record to add to the plethora he has already collected while competing under the banner KSW, including most wins in title fights and most stoppages in title fights, most title defenses.

After the fight, De Fries spoke to Polish media and following his victory and when asked how it felt to add this latest accolade to his CV, the 38-year-old expressed his desire to compete as KSW legend Mamed Khalidov and recognized the former middleweight. champion as the best to ever don the KSW gloves. He said:

“Maybe with the paper records and everything, but I would have liked to fight Khaladov a little more sometimes, it was a bad performance. I didn’t think while I won the fight. he was exhausted, I should have kept hitting with him. So on paper I’m the best, but we all know it’s Khaladov.

The conversation quickly turned to how fighting for the Polish promotion completely changed De Fries’ life, with the champion crediting his current form with creating a better life for him and his family. He also promised to deliver a blockbuster fight against Darko Stosic, the man many have teased as his next opponent.

“I love KSW. Before I was at KSW I was depressed, honestly I often thought about killing myself. This streak that I pursued revolutionized my life. It has improved my children’s lives. I feel good inside and I like it. I love Polish fans, I love Poland, you know, and next time I’ll be better, you know, me and Darko, we’re going to war next time, I’m going to go crazy. I feel like I’ve disappointed people.”

The British MMA veteran has been very open and honest about his mental health struggles and, when asked if he had a message for those who might be struggling, De Fries gave an extremely poignant and sincere.

“For me, it was anxiety that led to depression. It was ruining my life, you know, and I didn’t know what anxiety was. I would have killed myself, I hated my life.

“I thought that every day, killing myself crossed my mind. I wasn’t happy. I made an appointment with the doctor, I saw the doctor, she gave me medicine and I went to therapy and in three months I was so lucky, in three months I was healed. While many other people are having a much harder time than me.

“I’ve been so lucky, but you can’t give up. I was so lucky that the medicine worked the first time. People always ask me, “Oh Phil, I have anxiety. I suffer from depression. And at first I was like, “Go to the doctor, take this medicine.” This medicine will cure you.

“And no one I have recommended this medication to, it has helped.” I am incredibly lucky and incredibly fortunate that this medication worked for me. You just can’t give up. Sometimes I felt worthless, but now I feel very valued. My daughters love me, my wife loves me. I have good friends. I’m a champion here.

“It’s horrible, but don’t give up.”