Kiwi’s emotional message after win

Shane Young is fighting a good fight in and out of the UFC octagon.

The Kiwi fighter is winning praise around the globe for his classy showing at UFC 234 in Melbourne yesterday and it has nothing to do with his unanimous decision victory.

Young, who has fought back from his own mental health demons, used the platform of an international TV audience – likely to be in the millions – to reach out to anyone struggling with their mental health.

Young, who made headlines at Saturday’s weigh-in when he addressed the crowd in Te Reo Ma¯ ori, ignored questions on his second UFC win to deliver a message that could potentially save lives.

Standing in the octagon – fresh from his featherweight victory over American Austin Arnett – with a badly swollen and cut left eye socket, Young told the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena and a worldwide TV audience the reason he got into MMA was to use the platform ‘‘to try and spread some good in the world’’.

‘‘I just want to let everyone know back home in Aotearoa we have got the highest youth suicide rates and to all you kids, anyone that’s listening right now, I know what you’re going through just reach out to someone, talk.

‘‘It’s all good, we don’t have to be strong. You can be strong by reaching out,’’ Young said.

An emotional Young then told anyone who was listening and struggling with mental health issues to reach out to him on Instagram. "I’ll help you out," Young said. Young had just completed arguably the best performance of his UFC career but he was only interested in promoting awareness of youth suicide.

All three judges scored the three-round fight 30-27 in Young’s favour.

Meanwhile, Kai KaraFrance’s UFC star is on the rise.

The Kiwi flyweight beat Raulian Paiva yesterday via split decision after the close fight went the three round distance.

Kara-France was given time to recover from an illegal groin strike in the third and final round.

Two judges scored the close contest 29-28 for Kara-France with the third scoring the fight 28-29 for Paiva.

In the main Adesanya beat Anderson Silva.

The Kiwi middleweight sensation remains unbeaten. The fight went to the scorecards after going the full three round distance but it was Adesanya who got the win via unanimous decision.

The three judges scored the fight 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.

In his post-fight interview, Adesanya and Anderson’s fight was promoted to be the main event after the Melbourne card was thrown into turmoil early yesterday morning when Kiwiborn Australian middleweight champion Robert Whittaker had to withdraw due to a hernia. bout, UFC Israel legend