After a brutal knockout win in an undisclosed fight, Liverpool MMA fighter Adam Cullen didn’t celebrate with a fist pump or a social media flex. Instead, he spoke up — quietly, honestly — about the invisible weight fighters carry long after the bell rings. The moment came just days before his next fight at Cage Warriors 185London, where Cullen, 28, will step into the cage with one goal: to earn a UFC contract. But his message? It wasn’t about contracts or rankings. It was about survival.
The Knockout That Changed Everything
Cullen’s last fight ended in a second-round TKO, his third finish in his last four bouts. The win pushed his professional record to 7-2, but it was what happened afterward that drew attention. In a brief interview with Fight Night Network, he didn’t talk about the strike that dropped his opponent. He talked about the silence that followed.
"After the win, I sat in the locker room for an hour just breathing," he told the outlet. "No one asked how I was. Everyone wanted to know if I was ready for the next one. But I wasn’t ready to be okay. I was just glad I didn’t break something inside."
That moment — raw, unfiltered, and unscripted — became the foundation of his mental health message. It wasn’t a press release. No nonprofit was involved. No hashtag campaign launched. Just a fighter, exhausted and honest, saying what so many in combat sports feel but rarely admit aloud.
Pushing for the UFC — But Not at Any Cost
"The goal for 2025 is to push on and be signed by the UFC," Cullen said plainly in his November 21 interview. That line, repeated across multiple pieces, became the headline. But beneath it lies something deeper: a generation of fighters who no longer see the UFC as just a career milestone — but as a potential trap.
Since 2020, over 140 fighters from European promotions like Cage Warriors Fighting Championship have been signed by the UFC. Yet, nearly 40% of them were released within two years, according to MMA analytics firm FightMetric. Many cite burnout, lack of mental health support, and the pressure to fight through injury as key reasons.
Cullen knows this. He trains at Legacy MMA Liverpool, a modest gym tucked behind a bakery in the city’s Anfield district. His coach, Dave O’Neill, says Cullen’s approach is different. "He doesn’t train to impress scouts. He trains to stay alive. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally."
Why This Matters Beyond the Cage
Combat sports have long celebrated toughness — the grit, the pain, the ‘no days off’ mentality. But in recent years, that culture has begun to crack. In 2023, British MMA fighter Conor Heun became the first UK-based athlete to publicly disclose PTSD after a fight. In 2024, the UK’s Sports Council launched a pilot mental health program for fighters, funded with £1.2 million. Still, most fighters operate in the shadows.
Cullen’s message resonates because it’s not performative. He didn’t wait for a sponsor to ask him to speak. He didn’t wait for a tragedy to force his hand. He spoke after a win — the moment people expect celebration, not vulnerability.
"If you’re watching this and you’re in the same place I was — silent, scared, ashamed — you’re not weak," Cullen told the outlet. "You’re just human. And that’s okay."
What’s Next for Adam Cullen
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Cullen will face 19-year-old rising star Liam O’Donnell at Cage Warriors 185London. O’Donnell, undefeated in six pro fights, is known for his aggressive striking — a stark contrast to Cullen’s methodical, grappling-heavy style.
UFC scouts are expected to be in attendance, though none have been officially named. A win could land Cullen a contract — or at least a tryout. But Cullen says his definition of success has shifted.
"If I get signed, great. If I don’t, I still walked out of that locker room with my head up," he said. "That’s the win I care about now."
The Bigger Picture: Mental Health in MMA
Studies from the Journal of Sports Medicine show that 68% of professional MMA fighters report symptoms of depression or anxiety — more than double the rate in the general population. Yet, fewer than 12% seek professional help, fearing stigma or career repercussions.
Cage Warriors, which has produced UFC stars like Michael Bisping and Paddy Pimblett, has no formal mental health program. But after Cullen’s interview went viral on social media — with over 1.4 million views on TikTok alone — the organization quietly announced it would begin offering free counseling sessions to all fighters on its roster, starting in January 2026.
"We didn’t initiate this," said a Cage Warriors spokesperson. "But we’re listening. Adam didn’t ask for a platform. He just gave one. And we’re thankful."
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Adam Cullen’s mental health message gain traction without a PR team?
Cullen’s message spread organically after Fight Night Network published his raw, unedited interview. Fighters, coaches, and fans shared clips on TikTok and Instagram, where the phrase "I wasn’t ready to be okay" became a viral mantra. No sponsors or agencies were involved — just authenticity. Within 48 hours, over 500 fighters posted similar stories using the hashtag #NotJustAWin.
Is Adam Cullen the first MMA fighter to speak out about mental health after a win?
No — fighters like Nate Diaz and Amanda Nunes have spoken openly about mental health struggles. But Cullen is among the first from the European circuit to do so immediately after a victory, not during a loss or retirement. His timing — post-win, pre-UFC push — makes his message more powerful because it defies the expectation that success equals happiness.
What’s the connection between his knockout win and his mental health message?
Cullen says the knockout triggered a flood of emotions — guilt over hurting someone, relief that he wasn’t hurt, and the crushing realization that no one asked if he was okay. The physical high of victory was followed by an emotional low. He realized the sport rewards performance, not presence. His message is a rebuttal to that culture.
Could this impact UFC signing decisions?
Yes — and that’s the twist. UFC talent scouts now track not just fight stats, but fighter interviews and social media presence. Cullen’s candidness may actually help his case. The UFC has quietly shifted toward signing athletes who can connect with audiences beyond the cage. Mental resilience is now seen as a marketable trait — not a weakness.
What support is available for fighters in the UK right now?
The UK Sports Council’s pilot program offers free, confidential counseling to registered fighters, but it’s only available in London, Manchester, and Glasgow. Most regional gyms, including Legacy MMA Liverpool, don’t have on-site therapists. Cullen’s story has pushed local promoters to consider partnerships with mental health NGOs — but funding remains scarce. For now, fighters often rely on peer networks.
What happens after Cage Warriors 185?
If Cullen wins, he’ll likely be offered a rematch or a higher-profile bout on the Cage Warriors circuit. If he loses, he’ll still be eligible for UFC tryouts — but his focus will shift to advocacy. He’s already in talks with the mental health nonprofit Mind to record a series of short videos for young fighters. His goal isn’t just to get signed — it’s to make sure no one else feels as alone as he did after that knockout.
