Kurtis Campbell was only seven years old when his parents, Jay and Michelle, enrolled him in Muay Thai classes after he was targeted by bullies at primary school in Liverpool. "From there, I've never looked back," the 24-year-old Briton told BBC Sport. "I've been in love with the sport ever since."

Campbell's amateur success began early. At 15, he won his first international Muay Thai title, setting him on a path toward professional combat sports. He regularly ran nearly five miles to and from school and even skipped GCSE study time to attend a coaching seminar in Liverpool hosted by John Kavanagh, coach of former UFC champion Conor McGregor.

After winning five titles across three weight classes with Full Contact Contender (FCC), Campbell earned a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series. He made his UFC debut in March against Danny Silva, suffering a TKO defeat—the first loss in nearly seven and a half years. Now 1-1 in the promotion, Campbell faces American Trevor Peek at UFC Paris on Saturday.

"I'm not going to stop until my mum and dad are on a beach somewhere, sipping cocktails," Campbell said. "They can enjoy it, knowing that they've created this monster."