In a life akin to an action movie, Danny Christie has overcome all the obstacles the world has thrown at him, surviving being both stabbed and shot and even breaking free from the clutches of addiction.
While the adversity ‘The B*stard’ has faced would be enough to crumble even the strongest of men, the spartan has refused to let negativity overwhelm him, always striving towards a positive path, even when life was at its bleakest.
On June 8, the warrior will return to action at BKFC Prospect Series: Newcastle, in an eagerly-anticipated bout with Jimmy Millar.
But while merely setting foot in the ring is an achievement, it pales in comparison to the road the Carlisle fighter has travelled to get there.
When faced with acts of violence that could’ve ended his life, Christie chose not to seek a path of revenge, but to channel his energy in the form of a relationship with God.
In an interview with MMA TV Live, he explained: “I should probably have been dead about three or four times over. God is ever-present. It's rather difficult for me to verbalise my version of God. But I understand that God is in my heart.”
Knowing there was a higher power watching over him, Christie revelled in exploring new opportunities, determined to forge a better life for his family. Little did he know that just around the corner, he’d establish his place as one of the best bare-knuckle brawlers in the country.
Having fallen out with a fellow member of the combat sports community, the British striker travelled to his rival’s gym to settle their beef with good old-fashioned fisticuffs, completely unaware that the scrap he was about to have would change his life forever.
He explained: “I got my contract with the BKFC through a straightener I had with someone that I had a disagreement with. It was in a gym in Manchester with a well-known undefeated bare-knuckle heavyweight. We punched each other to a standstill for about ten minutes. The fight went viral.
“I had a representative from the BKFC get in touch after watching that fight and asked me if I wanted a three-fight contract. I've got to be honest; I thought it was one of my mates pulling my leg at first. But once the paperwork came through, I knew it was the real deal. The rest, as they say, is history.”
But while signing the deal was one thing, delivering on the big stage was another. However, with a newfound sense of grit and determination, Christie, who’s taken on addiction and come out the victor, has used BKFC as the catalyst to keep him away from the drugs that once ruled his life and has instead given his all to his battles inside the squared circle, accumulating a 4-1 record.
The 39-year-old said: “It's put a firework up my a**e. It gets me out of bed in the morning. It gets me in the gym. It's a big part of my life. With my age and the way I feel, the window is closing for me to perform, but it's not closed yet. There’s still time.”
Fans can buy tickets for the event at the Walker Activity Dome, here.
