Ellis Badr Barboza was homeless, and now he's fighting for ONE glory

Ellis Badr Barboza is ready for the fight of his life when he takes on Prajanchai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym for strawweight gold at ONE Fight Night 28.

But while the task at hand is certainly daunting, the Englishman is no stranger to overcoming adversity.

Ellis Badr Barboza and Pranchai go to war at ONE Fight Night 28

In the early hours of February 8 (UK time), Ellis Badr Barboza will attempt to make history inside Thailand’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.

With a nation cheering him on from back home, the gifted brawler will put it all on the line in a bid to relieve a legend of his Muay Thai championship belt.

Renowned for his Earth-shattering elbows, Prajanchai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym undeniably presents a monumental challenge.

However, the Birmingham fighter knows he has the mentality to overcome the odds.

At the age of just six, his father kicked his mother and him out of the house, forcing them to battle through freezing conditions.

The warrior explained: “We were homeless quite a bit and moved around a lot. [My mom] was just working different jobs to make it happen.

“That was all through my childhood. I probably moved 10 times, maybe more, to different houses, spending nights in hostels or on sofas – even mattresses on the floor. I was very young, so I don’t remember too much. But I do remember the cold.”

At school, the Brummie was picked on, with kids mocking him for not having expensive clothes. But rather than letting his circumstances derail him, the situation Badr found himself in, lit a spark that would become a full-blown forest fire when he started Muay Thai.

Training at Corefit UK under the guidance of renowned striking coach Henry Cleminson, the athlete developed an unshakable passion for the sport. From taking two busses just to get to the gym, the sportsman has now left his homeland, fighting around the world to prove he’s the best on the planet.

And now, he has his chance, with the fight with Prajanchai giving him the opportunity to write his name into the history books forever.

The event will broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK at 1 AM.

Featured Image Credit: ONE Championship