THE FIGHT OF THEIR LIVES

After scaling mountains of hardship, China's ethnic fighters are shining in the world's toughest sport

Born to an impoverished family that herded cattle for a living, nestled deep in the lofty mountains of Sichuan province, Sumudaerji has been conditioned to fight for survival since he was little, particularly against the poverty hampering his home village in the southwestern province's Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture.

So, when that fight takes him to the Octagon, against vicious strikers, boxers and wrestlers from around the world, the 29-year-old mixed martial artist from the Tibetan ethnic group faces it with confidence.

The emerging flyweight contender, known as "The Tibetan Eagle" in the ring, turned heads at the recent Ultimate Fighting Championship's Fight Night in Shanghai by putting his ferocious combat skills, as well as the gritty collective character of his people, on full display on the center stage of MMA.