The UFC’s Call was a Saving Grace for Todd Duffee… and He Made the Most of It

Todd Duffee parted ways with the UFC in late 2010, amidst confounding circumstances. There were rumors of a dispute between Duffee and the promotion about medical coverage, but UFC president Dana White at the time said that Duffee had an attitude problem and didn’t seem to want to be in the Octagon.

But time, and circumstances, heals all wounds.

Two and a half years later and Duffee stepped up when the UFC needed someone to fill a heavyweight hole against Phil DeFries at UFC 155.

Not only did he step into the fight, so that DeFries could remain on the card, but Duffee went right back to his old ways and knocked him out just two minutes into the fight.

It was an important win for Duffee, who hinted that it was maybe his one shot at a return to the Octagon, but he stepped up and did the job.

“I think I had to win,” Duffee said after the fight. “I wasn’t really too worried about how it happened, at the end of the day wins matter.”

Regardless of the how or why things ended during his first tenure in the Octagon, Duffee is thankful for finally getting the opportunity to get back in there and compete with some of the top big men in the world.

He spent the last couple years trying to find a home for himself, both in training and promotionally.

Duffee landed at AKA, where he says he couldn’t be happier with the training and teammates. He spent much of those two years on the phone with promoters, trying to find a place where he fit, before the UFC came calling, once again granting him the opportunity to do what he loves to do.

“I was getting ready to sign a kickboxing contract the next day (when the UFC called) and start traveling to Thailand and Holland,” Duffee recounted. “So it gave me a chance to do what I love. I love MMA; I like kickboxing. It was a huge saving grace for me.”

And with the victory at UFC 155, Duffee will be able to continue doing what he loves, and doing it on the biggest stage in the world.

Check out what else Todd Duffee had to say about his fight at UFC 155, his new team, and what’s in store for his future…