Athletes’ journeys are always inspiring for fans. From Michael Jordan to Tom Brady , their stories continue to motivate millions. Likewise, in the UFC, the rise of fighters like Alex Pereira and Francis Ngannou has inspired many. Now, another fighter, Steven Asplund, is drawing attention ahead of his UFC debut.

Asplund’s story is one of the most dramatic transformations in MMA. He weighed over 500 pounds at his peak before dropping more than 200 pounds to chase his fighting dream. That kind of weight loss while building the cardio and skills to compete professionally is incredible.

He earned his UFC contract in September 2025 on Contender Series with a 16-second knockout of Anthony Guarascio. That’s one of the fastest finishes in the show’s history and exactly the kind of statement t

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