Kurtis Campbell's journey from a bullied schoolboy to a rising star in the UFC is nothing short of remarkable. At just seven years old, his parents, Jay and Michelle, enrolled him in Muay Thai classes to help him cope with the bullying he faced in Liverpool. This pivotal decision ignited a passion for combat sports that has only grown stronger over the years.

Now 24, Campbell prepares for his second fight in the UFC against American Trevor Peek at UFC Paris on Saturday. He credits his parents for their unwavering support, stating, "I'm not going to stop until my mum and dad are on a beach somewhere, sipping cocktails and doing nothing else for the rest of their lives."

Initially, Muay Thai was merely a means of self-defense for Campbell, but it quickly transformed into an obsession. He recalls, "I was quite a soft kid... but when I did fight, everything changed and I never looked back."

By age 15, he had won his first international Muay Thai title and began to realize that combat sports could be his future. Despite being told by teachers to have a backup plan, Campbell's dedication left no room for alternatives. He trained relentlessly, even running nearly five miles to and from school, and made sacrifices like missing school to attend coaching seminars.

After completing his GCSEs, he found a way to prioritize his training by negotiating with college staff to allow him to focus more on combat sports than football. Campbell reflects on his school experience, saying, "I really didn't like school. It wasn't me. But I made a good few mates there, so you've got to take the pros with the cons."

As Campbell steps into the octagon, he embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination, proving that passion can lead to extraordinary achievements.