'I am unbreakable': UFC fighter Kiefer Crosbie inspired by his 'superhero' Grandmother
Michael Bolton
After two defeats in the UFC, Kiefer Crosbie's time in the promotion has not started as he would have wanted, but he still has the same mindset.
The Dublin fighter will be in action once again on Saturday morning in Shanghai when he takes on Taiyilake Nueraji.
Following defeats to Sam Patterson and Kevin Jousset, it would have been easy for Crosbie to panic ahead of Saturday, but he insists he is approaching this like any other fight.
"Whether you win five in a row or lose five in a row, it is the exact same.
"It is a roll of the dice every time. Only the ones who have strapped on the pair of gloves and made the walk will understand.
"It is a very hard sport; it is the hardest sport of all time. I am privileged I get to do it. You just have to say f**k it and go again.
"Saturday night is no different. I am prepared, I am fit, I am ready."
With less than ideal preparation for his previous bouts, Crosbie packed up his bags and moved to Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, training under Eric Nicksick, who has coached the likes of Francis Nagnnou to a UFC title.
"It has been amazing. There are great martial artists, great coaches, and the UFC PI has the best facilities for fighters. It was an unreal experience.
"As an athlete and a martial artist, this is the best I have ever been. I have been away from my family for six weeks, and I was gym and home everyday. That was my discipline for six weeks straight.
"I really locked in. I focused on resting between sessions, going to bed early, my nutrition was dialled in, I had a chef, it was done correctly.
"No stone has been left unturned here. It is the best I have ever prepared for a fight."
A career that has had its obstacles, opponent changes, and fights in different promotions, Crosbie has seen it all, but it does not faze him.
Looking into his upbringing and family for inspiration, the Dublin fighter has seen firsthand how hard those around him have had to work.
"It is the way I was raised. I was raised by my Nanny and my Ma. My Nanny had three jobs, four kids, and no husband. That is called hard work, that is called determination, that is called a superhero.
"What I do is I get to fight. It is not that hard. Compared to raising four kids and three jobs, right in the middle of the city centre in a flat, filled with drug users and drug abusers, that is hard.
"Watching her determination and her will not to give up, and watching my Ma have the same mentality, nothing can break them. I am unbreakable."