Duke Didier was an Australia judo champion who represented his country at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

But after failing to make the team for the Rio Olympics, his gaze was averted to the lights, the action and the cash of mixed martial arts.

Didier says the transition was a natural one given the similarities of the two sports.

And it has been successful, as well, with the 29-year-old Canberran winning his first six MMA fights.

Didier told Mathew Stramandinoli that mixed martial arts has challenged and surprised him in many ways.

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