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ONE Championship: China’s Banma Duoji has gone from child-bully victim to fight veteran

Just 25 years of age, the flyweight is already an experienced mixed martial artist with 18 fights under his belt

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China’s Banma Duoji took up fighting after suffering from bullies as a child and is now a ONE Championship veteran. Photo: ONE Championship

Chinese fighter Banma Duoji’s next step on his journey from bully victim at school to ONE Championship veteran sees him face Danial Williams at ONE Fight Night 25 on Saturday.

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Just 25 years of age, the flyweight is already an experienced mixed martial artist with 18 fights under his belt.

And ahead of his big fight at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, Duoji recalls how his difficult childhood forced him to become a fighter.

“My father left when I was born,” Duoji said. “My family was really poor and my mother was the only one who could work at first to make any money.”

As a child, Duoji was lacking in stature and that made him an easy target for bullies.

Chinese fighter Banma Duoji lands a punch during his bout with Walter Goncalves. Photo: ONE Championship
Chinese fighter Banma Duoji lands a punch during his bout with Walter Goncalves. Photo: ONE Championship

“I was small and weak during my childhood.” Duoji said. “My big brother always stood up to protect me when the others bullied me but he left school to work once he was an adult.”

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