This photo is part of a project I worked on called Favela Kombat: Girls Fight Back, and it was truly something special to be part of. I spent time visiting different favelas across Rio de Janeiro, where I met women who had all faced some form of violence, loss, or struggle. What connected them was a powerful choice they made: they decided to fight back through Mixed Martial Arts.
Each of them had a dream. Some hoped to one day step into the UFC ring. Others simply wanted to feel strong again. In a place where opportunities are often scarce, they found strength in the rhythm of training, in the sweat of each round, and in the sisterhood they built along the way.
As a photographer, I was there to document it all. But more than taking photos, I left with stories, lessons, and a deep admiration for their resilience. These women showed me that fighting back isn't just about fists. It's about reclaiming who you are, one punch at a time.
@photography@lemmy.ml
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Diego Herculano
René van de Vondervoort
