Ukraine-Russia war combatant returns to defend his MMA belt

Yaroslav Amosav, the 29-year-old Bellator Welterweight Champion, has returned from the front lines after defending his country. At Bellator 291, he will compete against Logan Storley in a championship unification event.

Ukraine-Russia war combatant returns to defend his MMA belt

Yaroslav Amosov (Image Courtesy: Bellator MMA)

At Bellator 291 one of the most inspiring tales in all of the combat sports will unfold. Bellator Welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov will enter the octagon to defend his championship after fighting for his country Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Since Russia began its special military operation in February of last year it has completely altered the life of many Ukrainian citizens. Many Ukrainian citizens volunteered to serve in the army and fight for their country. Yaroslav was no exception; he decided to take a break from his MMA career and join the resistance against the Russian army. However, once central Ukraini got liberated from the clutches of Russian forces his family forced him to go back to resume his MMA career. 

https://youtu.be/g0B9JUEVfu8

Speaking to MMA junkie, Yaroslav Amosav said, “They said, ‘Listen, our immediate area is liberated. It’s free. It’s time for you to return to fighting and use your notoriety and your platform to be the voice of what’s going on here, as opposed to being physically boots on the ground. It wasn’t an easy decision. There was a lot of pressure from my family, from my friends. But eventually, I decided that’s what I was going to do.”

Yaroslav further explained that the situation has currently been somewhat better but people are still dying. Ukrainian citizens have to live under constant threat from Russian missile attacks. After experiencing the horrors of war first hand the Ukrainian fighter will return to the Octagon and his aim is to bring awareness about the war on a global platform.

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Yaroslav Amosav revealed his source of motivation while training for his upcoming fight 

Yaroslav Amosov
Yaroslav Amosov (Image Courtesy: MMA Junkie)

Amosav made his Bellator debut back at Bellator 202 and after stacking up six wins cracked his shot at the Welterweight championship. At Bellator 260 he managed to capture the championship gold. However, he had to leave for the battlefield to serve his motherland.

Ahead of his return, he revealed how his experience on the battlefield has fuelled his motivation during his training. He explained, “There were even times in our training when I’m feeling very down and then I realize some of my friends right now are sitting in trenches, getting shot at, and rockets are flying everywhere. Compared to them, I have it easy. It helped me and motivated me through training.”

Yaroslav Amosav will be going one on one against the interim champion Logan Storley who won the interim belt back in May of 2022.  Logan who is 14-1 will face the returning undefeated champion in Dublin Ireland at the 3arena. 

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