5 UFC fighters who overcame addiction

#3. Charles Rosa

UFC Fight Night: Rosa vs. Jaynes

Charles Rosa grew up watching drug addiction destroy those closest to him. His two brothers, who he considered his fighting role models, fell to the crippling disease.

Their tragic deaths prompted his father, Chucky Rosa, to start a non-profit organization called Chucky's Fight to help educate people about the harm caused by drug and alcohol abuse. Rosa is no stranger to drug and alcohol addiction. One day in 2008, he had enough of its grasp on his life and checked himself into rehab. He started his amateur MMA career two years later and credited the sport for saving his life.

When his professional career started in 2012, he devastated the competition to maintain a 9-fight undefeated streak. The Massachusetts-born fighter holds a professional record of 14 wins and seven losses.