"Vadim plows like a horse": Amosov about the fight between Nemkov and Bader, sparring with Masvidal and his attitude to boxing without gloves

- Initially you were supposed to face John Fitch at Bellator 244, but he was injured and was replaced by Mark Lemminger.

- I had to fight Fitch, and there is a rather interesting story connected with this fight. I went to the training camp in mixed martial arts, and then to the members of the national freestyle wrestling team of Ukraine, studied with them. At this point, representatives of Bellator contacted me and offered to fight John.

- How did you react?

- I figured that the physical form allows. I also had four weeks left. It was decided to fight in the intermediate weight - up to 79.3 kg. But when I arrived in the USA, there was a pause. Within a couple of days, no specifics appeared, they did not offer to sign a contract for a duel. A week passed and realized that Fitch either disagreed or something had happened.

- At that moment, did you think about giving up the performance?

- Not. I have already arrived in the USA, which means we have to fight. After that, they offered to fight Lemminger. In my opinion, he is a more versatile athlete than Fitch, but I can't say that he stands out in any way. I think I am better in all aspects. However, you cannot relax.

- Do you know why Fitch starred ?

- They said it was an injury. Without details. But at his age, this is not uncommon.

- They always talk about how difficult it is for a fighter to get out on short notice, but how difficult is it for someone who has changed opponents?

- Honestly, I didn't have time to tune in to Fitch. I try to develop in all directions, to be a universal. So that no one can surprise me. There was no such thing that I radically restructure my training process. I have roughly the same battle plan.

- Like almost any fighter, you have to go through the weight race procedure. During this period, what products do you want the most?

- At this time, I often dream of flour products - pizza, pasta, cinnamon rolls. The main thing is to be made of dough. I would not say that I am starving now, but before the fight it is quite pleasant to think about such things. The Forbidden fruit is sweet.

- What do you allow yourself after the fight?

- The first two weeks I eat whatever I want. Most of all I love my wife's dishes. She cooks very well for me - tastier than in restaurants.

It's hard to choose a specific dish. After the battles, my wife always makes me some cake and pancakes. I think after the battle with Lemminger, he'll make a pecan tart. Also, after tournaments, I always fly to my parents, and there my mother makes lasagne. True, we call it "am".

- Why?

- Once we corresponded with her, and I mistakenly thought that this is what she calls the dish. But it turned out that it was an abbreviation for "please." But what else can you expect from a fighter who gets headshots a lot? Now this is our story.

- Many fighters experienced difficulties preparing for battles during the pandemic. How did you get this process?

- I think in Ukraine the quarantine was not as strict as in Russia. Sometimes I even caught myself thinking that during this period I trained better than usual. Almost nothing worked, all that remained was to study. The guys and I almost all gathered in the same hall in Kiev.

- At that time training halls were operating in Ukraine?

- It was supposed to open a couple of days before the start of the epidemic, but did not have time. However, the owner of the gym contacted us and said that we can study there. Moreover, there were not only MMA fighters, but also freestyle wrestlers, experts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, striking technique. There was a kind of sports party, everyone plowed ... Yes, they did not do it twice a day, because no one fully understood whether they were going to perform in the near future.

- Usually you prepare for battles in the  American Top Team. Didn't you change the tradition this time?

- Not. I flew to Florida three and a half weeks before the tournament. This time, I managed to spar with Jorge Masvidal, but mostly trained with two Bellator middleweight fighters - Johnny Eblin and Austin Vanderford, husband of Paige Vanzant. I like their style, we talked a lot and became good friends. We met the first of them a long time ago, and the second came to the camp for the first time.

- Why did you train with them?

- Firstly, they are well suited in terms of parameters, even slightly surpassing my possible opponents. Secondly, they fight well. I love it myself, so I was curious.

- Vanzant recently ended her contract with the UFC, after which she decided to try herself in boxing without gloves and signed an agreement with Bare Knuckle FC. Did this surprise you?

- Many people think that Vanzant is one of the prettiest girls in MMA. It's a bit of a pity that she decided to switch to such a sport. I don't know why Paige did it, because it's not the most beautiful sight. I do not understand how her husband allowed her.

“They say Bare Knuckle pays well. Don't you admit that in the future you could try yourself in boxing without gloves?

- I have no such desire. I think this is not really a sport. In my opinion, this brings us back to the days of gladiators. In the future, it remains only to start fighting with swords again. But people like it. For those who are not involved in sports, such a sight seems to be something unreal.

- How did you remember the training with Masvidal?

- This time we didn’t do much together. We worked a little, fought, but then he left. And after that, our schedules no longer coincided. Last time they crossed paths much more often.

- At the same time , several Russian fighters were training at ATT - Alexey Oleinik, Omari Akhmedov, Yana Kunitskaya. Have you crossed paths with any of them?

- We did not manage to meet with Akhmedov. We met him when I first came to Coconut Creek. Omari helped me then and continues to do so now. I saw the rest. At the same time, Kunitskaya had a fight on Saturday, and on Monday she was already in the gym again. Yana trained with her young man, UFC fighter Thiago Santos.

- In August, Oleinik was defeated by knockout from Derrick Lewis. Did you watch this fight?

- Partially. Uncle Lesha shows that everything is possible at any age. You just need to train. In terms of striking technique, Oleinik is peculiar, but hits over and over again. During his career, he met with a number of stellar rivals and won several times.

- Oleinik is already 43 years old, but he continues to perform actively. Have you ever thought until what age you plan to practice MMA professionally?

- I haven't asked such a question yet. While I will fight, we'll see. Everything can suddenly change. Today everything works out, but tomorrow it doesn't. Who knows, maybe I'll find something else for myself. For example, I was surprised by Alexander Gvozdik's decision to end his career. Everything seemed to work out great, I was a champion. Yes, I lost the last time, but it's not the end. Nevertheless, he took it overnight and tied it up. Apparently, there was something more important in life.

- Currently you are considered one of the main contenders for the welterweight title, but division champion Douglas Lima is preparing for a fight for the belt in the middle category ...

- In my opinion, the situation can be confusing. If Lima wins the middleweight belt, he is unlikely to return to welterweight. In this case, the 77 kg title will remain vacant.

- Why do you think that Lima will not return?

- Several times I saw him live and was surprised how he manages to fit into the welterweight category limit. It's very big. In addition, I was told that he intends to finally climb a division higher if he takes over Geghard Musasi. But if this does not happen, I will gladly fight with him.

- How do you feel about the fact that lately more and more fighters are trying not to defend the title in their category, but to move to an adjacent one and win there?

- There are reasons for this. Perhaps over the years it becomes difficult to fit into the weight, so the fighters are forced to climb higher. Besides, having two belts is very prestigious.

- Are you yourself considering the option to someday change the category?

- I do not know. I myself look pretty small in the 77 kg division.

- Let's imagine that Lima won and left the welterweight title vacant, and you were named one of the contenders. Who will be the second?

“I think Lorenz Larkin. But I haven't seriously thought about it yet.

- After each tournament, the American media publish the salaries of the UFC and Bellator fighters . Judging by this data, you earned $ 10 thousand for the last fight with Ruth. Is that really so?

- No, this is not even close to reality. In fact, the figure is much higher.

- You said that young athletes in Bellator receive more favorable conditions than in the UFC. Nevertheless, you can often see that the fee of some of them is $ 2.5-3 thousand, while Roman Bogatov received $ 13.5 thousand for his debut.

- Perhaps such salaries really exist. For example, this is how much can be received by participants in European Bellator tournaments or by short notice substitutes.

- At one time, UFC fighters criticized the promotion a lot for the decision to sign a contract with Reebok , which deprived them of their sponsorship income. Is it true that sportsmen can receive from $ 100 thousand for one fight for advertising on shorts?

- I think yes. The same John Jones had a contract with Nike. If you sign an agreement with such a company, then you are probably doing well in terms of money.

“But few athletes can boast of an agreement with such industry sharks . What's with the rest?

- It all depends on what kind of fighter and with what sponsor he is doing business. Someone might get lucky. In addition, some athletes receive financial assistance. For example, at the very beginning of my career, I was supported by my older friends.

- Many fighters speak highly of the attitude of the Bellator leadership towards them . What is special about Scott Cocker and company behavior?

- You can discuss any moments. For example, when I was offered a fight with Fitch, I was very far from the welterweight category limit. At that time, weighed about 90 kg. The leadership went forward and agreed to arrange a battle in the intermediate weight. Besides, I can take part in an amateur tournament, compete with someone. There are practically no prohibitions.

- Dana White regularly conflicts with fighters and takes criticism from them to heart. Did you have reasons to be unhappy with Cocker's decisions?

- Not once.

- For the second tournament in a row, you will fight alongside Fedor fightersTeam . Last time it was Valentin Moldavsky, this time Vladimir Tokov and Vadim Nemkov will accompany you both. Is this a kind of pleasant tradition?

- I constantly intersect at tournaments with Russians - Sergey Kharitonov, Moldavsky, Nemkov. I know and communicate very well with representatives of the Fedor Team. I went to training camp in Stary Oskol four times.

- Bader is considered the favorite of the battle with Nemkov. Do you agree?

- Nemkov will surprise all bookmakers. He moves well, breathes. In my opinion, endurance is one of his strongest points. I personally studied with him. Vadim plows like a horse. It also hits well.

- Will it not be difficult for Nemkov in the fight, because Bader is very strong in this aspect?

- I doubt it. Perhaps Vadim will miss the takedown in the opening, but then he will dominate.

- Nemkov himself admitted that he considers Fedor Emelianenko a teacher and mentor. Can't he burn out because of the desire to avenge Emelianenko's defeat?

- I think Nemkov will approach the fight with a cool head. He will not be tormented by thoughts of revenge. Now Vadim has a task - to win the title. I am sure that he will be able to abstract himself from extraneous things.

- Your partner in the camp Vladislav Parubchenko will also perform at the tournament. Khabib Nurmagomedov admitted that he was uncomfortable performing at a tournament if his close people or teammates were fighting with him. Does it not make you feel that way?

- No, I react normally. There are no problems with this. On the contrary, we can do something to help each other.