Fighter

They fight in cages. Because they want to and because others want to watch. Andreas Kraniotakes, Khalid Taha and Lom-Ali Eskijev are professionals in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). They fight in duels on stage using all means permitted. They work hard and live ascetically, often under precarious conditions. Their lives are marked by friendship, discipline and unconditional respect for each other and for their opponents. They share a dream of being recognized as athletes and success on an international scale. They have a high price to pay. In Germany, MMA fighters are rarely respected as athletes and can hardly live from fighting. They are under great pressure: as modern gladiators they may not age, get injured – and must not lose.