LAS VEGAS – Not too long ago when he was holding Bellator gold, many wondered how Yaroslav Amosov would fare against the best in the UFC. Now, it’s no longer a fantasy.
At UFC on ESPN 73, Amosov (29-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made his UFC debut against mainstay Neil Magny, winning by submission in the first round. With his first UFC test passed, Amosov wants to keep things rolling against whoever the promotion offers next, but wants ranked opposition so he can forge a path to a welterweight title shot.
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“I feel like I’m here, and this was my dream,” Amosov told reporters during a post-fight news conference. “… It doesn’t matter who (I fight), because I know my level. I have the best gym and I can fight against anybody. UFC give me opponent, I am ready, no problem. Of course, I want opponent, somebody from top, because this gives me more chance, to get closer to belt. But if need fighting, need fighting.”
Amosov aims to get in a couple of fights in 2026. Now that he’s under the UFC banner, fights should be consistently available, which was not the case since his last Bellator fight in November 2023. He’s only had one other fight since then, which came in March against UFC veteran Curtis Millender.
The Ukrainian fighter’s career hasn’t been typical, to say the least. While Bellator champion, Amosov put his career on hold to fight for his country in the military during the war against Russia. Now back to life as an MMA fighter, his his hope is to provide something positive for everyone in Ukraine – and doesn’t want to hear anyone ever compare fighting to actual war again.
“I everytime think about how was it hard when I was in war,” Amosov said. “When people say like, ‘Hey, this is next fight, it will be like war,’ or ‘I go tomorrow to the war.’ Hey people, guys, if you don’t know what is it at war, shut up. You can’t talk about this, because war, this is not octagon. This is not fighting. This is different life. This is not like hard training, hard cut weight, something more. You can (be) dead in a second, and your friend can (be) dead. This is different. My country, for years, felt this.
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“… If I can give a little bit good mood for people, for soldiers – if I give this, I’m happy. I know my country, now, every time think about problems. If I give something positive for my country, I’m happy.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Yaroslav Amosov achieved dream by reaching UFC, now wants title path
