Australian MMA veteran Peter Graham has unveiled the surprising reason why popular social media personality Spanian never pursued a professional kickboxing career, despite showing significant promise in the sport.
The Property Dream That Changed Everything
Graham, 50, revealed during an appearance on the 'Lat Chat' podcast that Spanian's fighting ambitions took a backseat to his desire to build wealth through property investment and social media influence. "That pursuit to buy property was one of the reasons he didn't have a professional career," Graham explained to listeners.
The MMA legend, who has known Spanian - whose real name is Anthony Lees - for many years, believes that reaching the elite level of combat sports requires singular focus, something modern influencers struggle to achieve. "Those guys getting to the absolute pinnacle is not possible because they have other things going on," Graham stated emphatically.
From Prison Cells to Property Owner
Spanian's life story represents one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory. The content creator spent twelve years in prison for various criminal offences including armed robbery and grievous bodily harm before completely transforming his life through social media.
His successful YouTube series 'Into The Hood', where he explores high-crime areas worldwide to showcase the harsh realities of life in disadvantaged communities, has garnered international attention and substantial financial rewards.
The Financial Success of Social Media Stardom
Graham didn't hold back when discussing Spanian's current financial situation, revealing that the influencer has achieved remarkable success through his online content. "Even if he stopped right now, he'd be fine financially," Graham disclosed during the podcast interview.
The numbers certainly support Graham's assessment. Spanian now boasts an impressive 1.22 million YouTube subscribers and has accumulated 925,000 Instagram followers, creating a substantial platform that generates significant income.
While Spanian might have possessed the talent to become a professional fighter during his peak physical years, his choice to pursue social media influence and property investment has clearly paid substantial dividends, proving that sometimes the most successful fights happen outside the ring.
