While Jan Blachowicz was recovering from the most serious injuries of his distinguished career, he decided to do something memorable.

During his 20 months away from the octagon following surgery on both shoulders, the former UFC light-heavyweight champion decided to enter a reality television show.

For one month, the Pole raced across the Philippines and Thailand on foot… without a home, food, money or a phone.

Of the 12 two-person teams who took part in the show, Blachowicz and his team-mate came first.

“It was a great adventure to survive without a phone and without money, finding a place to sleep and asking people for help – it was an amazing experience,” he said.

“One time we found a place to sleep after 10 minutes of looking, another day you ask people for help but they say ‘no’, and it can take four to five hours to find a place.

“Normally you don’t spend your holidays like this. After three days people would say ‘enough, I will go to a hotel now’. I survived a whole month – we won this show, me and my friend.”