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Fighting their way out of Brazil's slums

By Marcelo Alonso
Sherdog.com

Thursday, May 14, 2009

In Brazil, where an estimated 50 million people live in favelas, or slums, children often dream of changing their lives through sports. In years past, kids have aspired to follow in the footsteps of soccer idols like Romário and Ronaldo, both of whom were born in the Rio de Janeiro favelas. Nowadays, the popularity of mixed martial arts in Brazil and the growth of MMA's international market have attracted more athletes from these poor communities, who aim to become the next Wanderlei Sil ...

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