His first goal is representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, but Duke Didier's long-term ambition is to move into the no-holds-barred world of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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The 25-year-old from Canberra has ticked off the initial challenge with selection for the Australian judo team to contest this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Didier was rewarded after being ranked No.1 in the country in the under-100-kilogram division, and inside the top 70 in the world.
The son of former Wallabies forward Geoff Didier, he has in recent years balanced judo with his commitments in mixed martial arts.
He has an unbeaten 4-0 record inside the cage and intends to return to the discipline later this year as part of his plan to earn big bucks in the UFC.
"Long-term, I definitely want to see where MMA takes me,'' Didier said. "The MMA scene in Australia is growing rapidly and I don't see myself moving overseas in the near future.
"Eventually I would like to make it to the big show, the UFC, probably in five to 10 years' time.
''I made the decision late last year not to take another fight, to focus on qualifying for the Commonwealth Games. My intentions are to get a medal at the Commonwealth Games and take that back in the cage.''
Didier has been involved in judo since he was nine years old, and trains at the Hill Sports Academy in Belconnen.
His coach, Tom Hill, won a gold medal in the 73-kilogram division the last time judo was held at a Commonwealth Games, in Manchester in 2002.
Hill's brother Steve was also set to compete, but injured his knee during training in the lead-up and had to withdraw.
"I've been so lucky because from such a young age I've had such high-level coaches,'' Didier said. "They've both coached at the Olympics and I can draw a lot on them for my successes.''
Didier also drew inspiration from his father as he attempted to follow in his footsteps and represent Australia.
"It's such a testament to his upbringing and he's been my biggest role model in life,'' Didier said. "There are so many things that I take into my sporting life, just things that he does.
"A lot of my friends pick up on it and say we've got very similar characteristics.''
Didier will leave Australia on July 3 for a series of training camps before competing at the Commonwealth Games from July 28.
