Donegi Abena’s rose from a troubled childhood in the Netherlands to becoming a world champion in one of combat sports’ most prestigious organizations. Now, at 27 years old, the Surinamese-Dutch fighter has taken his final step away from kickboxing’s elite, signing with the PFL to pursue gold in MMA.
The Early Struggles of Donegi Abena
Abena’s childhood unfolded within the Dutch foster care system, a period that shaped his understanding of hardship. The experiences of growing up without a stable family environment taught him early lessons about survival. In reflecting on those formative years, Abena has been candid about the behavioral struggles that defined his adolescence.