Once 500-pound heavy Minnesota fighter details heartbreaking story of being saved by MMA: "I wouldn't have lived past my age"

MMA heavyweight Steven Asplund is physical evidence of how positive an impact the sport can have on one's life. In fact, according to Asplund himself, he wouldn't have a life at all were it not for mixed martial arts. At one point, he weighed over 500 pounds.

Now, Asplund is a 250-pound combat sports athlete, having lost 300 pounds through his love of fighting, which he described as a source of adrenaline like no other. But just how did Asplund balloon to over 500 pounds, and at just 6 feet 5 inches in height, no less?

Moreover, how did he lose 300 pounds? During an exclusive sitdown with FOX 9, Asplund detailed the origins of the poor habits that led to his initial obesity.

"My whole family—we're a big family. It was, 'If you're hungry, finish your food, go get a second plate.' And my mom can cook. I didn't have a problem grabbing the second or third and sometimes fourth [plate]. When I started to make money and work, I'd go to Sam's Club and I'd get a couple 12 packs of cookies, and a 36-pack of Mountain Dew. I'd sit downstairs in my basement and play video games the whole weekend."

These lifestyle choices inevitably led to him gaining a tremendous amount of weight. While big-boned fighters aren't rare in heavyweight MMA, not since the early days of the UFC have MMA fighters that heavily competed in the sport.

According to an old driver's license, he once weighed 498 pounds. Asplund though, suspects he's been heavier, just a shade over 500 pounds. A bad breakup with his longtime girlfriend only made his circumstances worse, causing him to plummet into a downward spiral.

However, fighting, the adrenaline rush it gave him, and the sense of community in his gym gave him purpose. It enabled him to shed 300 pounds, and now, he is aiming to fight in the UFC.

"I have the biggest fight of my life coming up, and I know it. The struggle, the process, the destination—I do believe that this has given me a new lease on life. I wouldn't have lived past my currently if I would have stayed on that track."

Now, he is set to take on Denzel Freeman at LFA 193 on Sep. 20.

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Steven Asplund's MMA record

As an amateur MMA fighter, Steven Asplund went 9-0, finishing most of his fights. Fortunately for him, his undefeated record remains intact at the professional level.

Now, he is 3-0, with two of those wins taking place in the LFA. At just 26 years old, the Minnesotan has plenty of time to make it into the UFC.