UFC fighter says high school bullying nearly caused him to take his own life

HE IS one of the most feared fighters in the UFC but a surprising struggle during his high school years nearly ended it all.

‘I didn’t want to continue with my life’

HE IS one of the most menacing fighters in the UFC but Uriah Hall has endured a struggle that’s almost impossible to believe if you’ve witnessed him inside the octagon.

The fighter, who hails from Jamaica, endured a crippling battle with childhood bullying which left him heartbroken and suicidal.

“I was 14 years old and my life was over. At least, I wanted it to be,” Hall said in a candid piece he penned for Medium on the eve of his fight at UFC 187.

He may have lost the fight yesterday against Rafael Natal but it was far from the toughest of his life.

That title is reserved for the struggle he endured during his younger years.

“Sixteen years ago, I had given up. I didn’t want to continue with my life. I wanted it all to end, and I came very close to making sure it would,” the middleweight wrote.

Moving to Queens, New York at 13, he said his torment began almost immediately.

In the eyes of the other children he felt different. Everything from his accent to what he wore and how he acted, was different.

Hall is known for a acrobatic style in the cage.

“Over time, the bullying became so aggressive and was so relentless, I got to the point where I simply did not want to go to school anymore,” Hall recalled.

He said he would skip school, lie to his mother and do anything to avoid the bullying.

He said the experience hurt his grades and shaped his personality — and not for the better.

“I began to have violent thoughts. I considered hurting other people, which, despite my current profession, is not something that is in my nature.”

It was at this point, Hall saif he “took steps” to end his own life. Despite his ultimately feeble attempt, the one thing that saved him was an innate desire to compete in martial arts.

At the time his mother could not afford lessons so he began teaching himself, with the aid of movies and video games.

Once there was enough money to attend proper lessons, he said he took to it like a duck to water.

“In retrospect, karate not only changed my life — it saved it,” he said.

The result of his skill was one of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history.

Hall with the golden girl.

His weekend loss set Hall back to a professional MMA record of 10 wins and five loses.

Once considered to be one of the most dangerous prospects in the UFC middleweight division, it meant he would have to fight for respect in the organisation.

But he approaches the challenge with a unique perspective.

Hall said he now understood that with maturity came wisdom and the bullying was a product of other people’s insecurities — not his own perceived weakness.

He said he saw himself as a “gentle soul” just like his mum.

The UFC fighter said he shared his story in the hope of inspiring others to stand up for themselves and “realise how important they are.”

While he said the emotional scars were still close under the surface, he was glad for the life had — life he almost didn’t get to live.

If you are a victim of bullying or are in need of someone to talk to you can call kids helpline on 1800 55 1800.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp