October 9, 2024 8:00 pm ET
Yaroslav Amosov hopes to say gold as soon as once more, however this time within the UFC.
Approaching one yr since his most up-to-date battle, the Ukrainian star Amosov (27-1) is a free agent. His sights are firmly set on the identical finish location they’ve been for just a few years now behind the scenes.
“We now have a plan,” Amosov not too long ago advised MMA Junkie in his first interview since his Bellator departure. “We need to signal a contract for only one battle (someplace). After one battle, we need to go to the UFC.”
Based on Amosov, the conclusion of his Bellator contract was the results of an expiration of time, not the conclusion of fights. Amosov says he knowledgeable the promotion in 2022 or 2023 of his plans to discover free company and thinks maybe that’s what led to a delayed exit.
When he withdrew from a bout vs. Michael Web page to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, Amosov mentioned one yr was tacked onto the top of his contract – however claims he was not provided extra fights throughout this time.
“In 2023, one perhaps two years in the past, we mentioned, ‘Bellator, now we have plan. We don’t need to signal new contract. After ending the contract, we’ll go outdoors.’ I believe that’s perhaps why they continued my contract one yr. Perhaps that’s why. However sure, now we have plan to go to the UFC.”
Supervisor Andriy Spivachuk hinted his shopper would possibly already know the place he’s going subsequent, however elected to not but publicly announce.
“They promised, however they didn’t give,” Spivachuk mentioned.
Amosov goals for a January 2025 return to motion. Famend for his sturdy grappling talents, Amosov thinks he may need to indicate extra thrilling points of his recreation to twist the arm of UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby.
That’s why he’s coaching boxing with WBO light-weight champion Denys Berinchyk (19-0), a fellow countryman.
“I really feel I can change my type,” Amosov mentioned. “That’s why I’m an MMA fighter. That’s why I’m an MMA fighter as a result of I can battle in hanging, grappling. Now, the final couple months, I educated in boxing. Perhaps a pair months in the past, I’ve been in boxing camp. Then, perhaps now I am going to boxing camp once more now in Spain. … For me, I believe I can grapple and hanging. Typically, for me, I really feel higher if I do takedowns and ground-and-pound. Perhaps submissions. It’s perhaps higher for me. I really feel it’s, for me, snug.”
Regardless of the results of his final battle, a TKO loss to Jason Jackson in November 2023 that shocked bookmakers, Amosov mentioned he requested for a rematch that he didn’t obtain. Since then, he’s recognized the issues that went mistaken and isn’t deterred from UFC title gold aspirations.
“I had in my final battle it was many issues in my camp,” Amosov mentioned. “I had many conditions near my household about my nation and I had a pair issues. It’s simply my drawback and he’s a really laborious man. 100%. However my final battle was me, however not me. “… In fact, I’ve large motivation as a result of my final battle was not so good. I need to present this world I’m fighter and I shall be champion. My final battle is my fault. I need to present it’s only a mistake. I present this world this error. … I believe I can do that. I’ll do that. Perhaps that’s higher. I’ve educated with many guys, a few years and I really feel I can do that. I’ll take this belt.”
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