For undefeated prospect Elora Dana, stepping into the cage is deeply personal, fueled by the traumas she has endured and a steadfast belief that MMA can pave the way to a brighter future.
Ahead of her crucial PFL semifinal bout against veteran Liz Carmouche in Wichita, the former Jungle Fight champion and one of Brazil`s most promising talents candidly discussed the many challenges she has faced.
Dana`s difficult journey began early; she was orphaned at age 11 after her mother succumbed to cancer. Despite having eight siblings in her hometown of Tefé, she found herself abandoned by her family.
She recounts the hardship: “My older brother left me alone where we lived with our mom and went to live with our uncle elsewhere,” Dana shared. “He never really liked me. I was forced to do all the household chores – laundry, cleaning, cooking – and even had to care for my younger brother. He would sometimes leave me hungry if I didn’t complete tasks out of exhaustion.”
She was left completely alone by age 12. “Most of the time I had nothing to eat,” she recalls, describing the desolate conditions with no electricity, just a single bed and small cabinet – a memory that still deeply affects her.
The fear of the dark nights alone persists. “I still remember going back home at night and being afraid,” Dana said. It was during those times that she turned to faith. “I would talk to God, ‘Please protect me from everything. Take me from this situation. Help me. Change my life. I don’t know how the future will be, but be in control. Guide me. Protect me. Give me an opportunity to make my dreams come true and change my life so I don’t have to depend on other people.’”
At age nine, already known for getting into street fights, Dana was introduced to grappling classes by her cousin’s husband. Her natural fearlessness and raw talent quickly became apparent, leading her coach to train her for free. It was here she felt she had found her purpose, a path that could ultimately save her.
Years later, Dana now resides in Manaus, with her sights set on achieving the same MMA success in the United States. The substantial $500,000 prize for winning the PFL tournament represents a potentially life-altering opportunity, and Dana holds strong faith that she will claim it this year. She advanced to the semifinals with a victory over Diana Avsaragova in her PFL debut in April.
The intensity of fighting brings her past into stark focus. “When I’m in a fight, it’s like I watch a movie inside my head of everything I went through,” she explained. “God, I don’t want to go back to that place. I want to be champion. I want to win. I want to earn my money. Sadly, this is the only thing I’ve set out to do. I’m in that cage, but I’m praying the whole time, asking for guidance and wisdom. I am nothing, God is everything in my life.”
Reflecting on her journey, she adds, “It was quite hard. Despite all the difficulties I’ve had in my childhood, I always had a goal in my life. I wanted a good life, a house, and something to eat.” She describes being in the PFL as “awesome, it’s extraordinary. Being here is a dream for me. I always believed my time would come, that God would bless me one day. It was a hard road, but thank God we’ve made it. I’m in one of the world’s biggest promotions, and it’s surreal to me. I never expected it to happen, but here I am thanks to my hard work and courage.”
