Rhys McKee admits he can't afford to "let myself go" - not only for his MMA career but for his reputation as a gym owner.
The 26-year-old runs STLTH Training on the outskirts of his hometown Ballymena.
It is a career that aligns with his other 'job' of being a pofessional MMA fighter.
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McKee is set to return to action on Saturday, June 25, headlining the massive Cage Warriors 140 show at Belfast's SSE Arena.
It will be a proud moment in the Co Antrim man's life, as he goes up against Justin Burlinson for the vacant CW Welterweight title.
A decade ago McKee was warming the bench in junior football, his feet more accustomed to kicking a ball than striking another man's flesh.
But some 10 years on, he is one of Ireland's elite MMA stars who is plotting world title glory.
"To be honest, to call me a footballer would be shameful. I was a sub waiting his turn to kick the ball," McKee jokes.
"I tried playing football. The last team I played for was Antrim Rovers, I think. And before that I played for Crewe.
"That's just my warm-up story for any interview when they ask me what I did before MMA."
Anyone watching McKee inside the cage could be forgiven for thinking he is a man fuelled by aggression and anger.
But nothing could be further from the truth.
A pacifist by nature, he often shied away from confrontation as a child and teenager, adopting the role of mediator if anything ever 'kicked off'.
"It's funny, because if anyone started a row with me in the street, I would be the one who walks away. It isn't my style," he says.
"As a kid I remember having a run-in with someone at school, and leaving school early to avoid any confrontation. That's how much I wanted to avoid it.
"I wasn't bullied or anything, but I just tried to stay clear of confrontation.
"It is a bit mad, because you would never have written this life story for me. My family and I would never have predicted this path I am on, but it has worked out perfectly.
"As they say, it is the quiet people you have to watch out for."
So where did the fascination with MMA come from?
"It is just so weird, because I don't have an addictive personality," McKee adds.
"I just found something about it and I was hooked. There is so much you don't know.
"Even at the top level there is more you don't know than you do know, and that fascinates me. How does that work? Why did that happen? There are always questions.
"And now, preparing for a fight, it's about who has a good night and who has a bad night. It is so interesting.
"The uncertainty surrounding the sport, that interests me. That is the hard part for many people."
McKee lives and breathes MMA, whether it be in his STLTH Training business or in the brutal confines of the competition cage.
It has been his life for 12 years now.
He said: "My life for the last 12 years has been disciplined. I can't be away for too long because of training.
"Yes, I like to eat bad outside of fights, but most of the year I eat clean. And it has been that way for 12 years.
"And if anyone is looking quick success in this game then you are in the wrong sport. It takes a good 10 years to reap the rewards of your labour.
"If you're willing to do that and let your body suffer as a consequence then you will be just fine."
Rising MMA star Paddy Pimblett recently opened up on his drastic three-stone weight cut ahead of his UFC return this summer.
The Liverpudlian, who admitted to eating three main meals and two desserts every night, has now cut out the fast food and high calorie intake as he prepares for his next fight on July 23.
But while gorging on fast food and cake may seem an appealing prospect, McKee insists he could never allow himself to fall off the wagon that much.
"There are times when I put on a lot of weight, but I never get in that condition," he added.
"I know it's funny and a laugh, but I wouldn't like to get to that stage. I still have the gym to run in Ballymena, and I can't have people coming in and taking photos of my big belly.
"That would send out a mixed message.
"That's what I mean. I have to live this lifestyle all year round, 365 days a year.
"I don't even switch off during holidays. I do try but I never switch off. Whether it's thinking about fights, the gym, a new kick or something.
"My mind always works overtime. People look at that as a bad thing, but it is why I am what I am. I just accept that I never switch off. I bet a lot of people go on holiday and never switch off.
"I am no different."
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