Joe Pyfer explains why he was 'seconds away' from taking his own life before UFC Seattle: 'I was disgusted'

Content warning: This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide and needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline. org .

Joe Pyfer claims he stepped into UFC Seattle's main event as a completely different man from the one who entered the Octagon last October. And had it not been for overcoming some severe mental hurdles, Pyfer is adamant he wouldn't have scored a career-changing win over former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya . As fight night neared for UFC Seattle, much of the usual boisterousness and confidence was noticeably absent from the Philadelphian.

Pyfer, 29, expanded on why in his post-fight speech Saturday, revealing that he contemplated suicide in February. Appearing Monday on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Pyfer further detailed his troubled mental state ahead of the fight. According to the middleweight contender, he was "seconds away" from attempting to take his life in mid-February until something spoke to him.

"I had a calling in my head. I felt like that's not what I wanted to do, but I was trying to escape again, like I've always done, which is run away from pain and trying to bury it in something," Pyfer told Uncrowned. "For once, I finally faced it, and I just cried out and asked God to save me and bring me to him and trust in him.