Former Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov passed his first UFC test with flying colors with a dominant win at UFC Vegas 112 last weekend.
Amosov submitted Neil Magny midway through Round 1 of their welterweight bout at UFC Vegas 112 last Saturday. It was Amosov’s promotional debut after a long, successful stint with Bellator, which established him as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
After defeating Douglas Lima for the Bellator welterweight title in June 2011, Amosov took a nearly two-year break from competition to enlist in the Ukrainian military following the Russian invasion of the country. A viral clip showed Amosov retrieving his Bellator belt from his home, which was bombed by Russian forces.
Fighters often compare their livelihoods to war, but for Amosov the comparison is irresponsible and unjust.
Yaroslav Amosov assisted the Ukrainian army at the height of the Russian invasion
During the UFC Vegas 112 post-fight press conferenceAmosov was asked about fighters who use war to promote fighting.
“I think about how hard it was when I was in the war,” Amosov said.
“When people say, ‘This next fight will be like war,’ or ‘I’m going to war tomorrow,’ guys, if you don’t know what war is, shut up. You can’t talk about this. War is not the Octagon. This isn’t fighting. This is another life.”
“You could be dead in a second, and your friend could be dead too,” Amosov continued. “This is not hard training or losing weight. My country has felt this for years.” (h/t Mmas Mania)
At the time of writing, the Ukrainian and Russian armed forces are still at war after invading the country. Although peace talks have continued in recent months, the conflict continues to claim the lives of thousands of people in the region.
#Yaroslav #Amosov #Scorches #UFC #Athletes #Comparing #Fighting #War #Ukraine #Invasion #Shut #BJPenn.com