Why did cage fighting make him the perfect warrior? Andrzej Grzebyk

Grzebyk for years pretended to be a tough guy, telling loved ones what they wanted to hear. The breakdown came after defeats and a broken leg. He decided to meet with Morel, who wrote to him offering help. Although initially skeptical, he felt relief after the first session. Morel uses 'Chinese methods' – works on trigger points on the head, talks, and Grzebyk often falls asleep. In parallel, he started writing down his thoughts and talking honestly with his wife. Today he says he no longer has to prove anything and approaches every preparation with joy.

This practice is a symbol of his inner transformation. Instead of seeking adrenaline in brawls, he finds peace in nature. He describes how during a walk he can visualize angles, scan the surroundings, perceive smells and sounds. He does it regularly and treats it as mental training. He adds that once, looking at someone hugging a tree, he would have thought they were crazy; now he does it himself and feels it helps him.

Despite the pseudo-fan environment he moved in, he always stuck to this rule. At after parties he stood with mineral water and kept class. He believes that giving up substances was one of the foundations of his success and allowed him to save money for training and investments.

After the fight with Romanowski, he was close to ending his career. Instead of giving up, he started cooperation with psychologists and mental coaches, including Sławomir Morel. Morel uses unconventional techniques: holding his hands on Grzebyk's head, talking, which puts him into a state of deep relaxation, he often falls asleep. Andrzej also started keeping a journal and apologizing to loved ones for years of pretending. Over time he discovered mindfulness practices – walks in the forest, hugging trees, listening to birds. He claims he felt lighter and more authentic. Today he says: 'I am so more relaxed, smiling. I derive fun from preparations'.

He described the stay in the detention center as a moment in which from a tough 'bastard' he became someone who couldn't bear the sight of his crying mother and girlfriend. Inmates urged him to 'grypsować' (prison code communication), but he refused, believing he would get out quickly. After getting out he experienced shock – he couldn't find himself in freedom. This experience to this day he considers stronger than winning belts. Hence his suggestion that a controlled 'stay of unknown length' could have a resocializing effect on young hooligans.

Twice a day he underwent rehabilitation, trained boxing standing up, and did groundwork without loading the leg. After half a year he knocked out the same rival. Despite this he admits that all the time he was lying to his surroundings, saying that everything was fine. The truth came out only after subsequent defeats, when he understood that the head had not healed. This prompted him to seek psychological help, about which he speaks directly, breaking the pattern of the 'tough warrior'.

Grzebyk announces he will pursue the topic of tests, because KSW contracts contain a clause on the possibility of control at any moment. He says: 'I will strive for it to happen. I won't speak for the presidents here, because they have a different vision. I as a fighter have the right to a voice'. In his opinion, at least champions should be tested regularly, especially since in France such procedures already exist.