Yaroslav Amosov – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Yaroslav Amosov says dominant title unification win at Bellator 291 makes him world’s top welterweight

After a flawless performance in one of the biggest fights of his career, Yaroslav Amosov thinks he settled one thing Saturday in Dublin.

DUBLIN – After a flawless performance in one of the biggest fights of his career, [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] thinks he settled one thing Saturday.

Amosov now thinks he’s the best welterweight in the world.

“Of course (I’m the best in the world),” Amosov said after he dominated Logan Storley at Bellator 291 in Dublin. “I am here. If a UFC champion wants to fight, come to Bellator. Scott Coker will give the contract, and we’ll make the fight.”

Amosov (27-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) beat Storley (14-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) with a sweep of the scorecards to unify the welterweight title. Storley came in as the interim champ who won that belt while Amosov was fighting in a war against Russia in his home country of Ukraine.

Storley now has both his losses courtesy of Amosov. The first came in a split decision in November 2020. In the rematch, with the undisputed title on the line, Amosov proved to be improved.

“Before this fight, I said this fight was different,” Amosov said. “I have many (pounds) that I cut for my first match with Logan. (This fight), I had a very good camp and recover,y as well as different training. Every day, I trained hard and became better. I have the best team with me. He’s a very good fighter, and I knew this. It’s not a surprise to me, but I’m ready (for everything).”

Amosov ran his winning streak to 27, which is the longest active stretch in all of MMA. But that streak may not be what’s on Amosov’s mind.

The sad reality is he had to go to war to try to help freedom win for his country.

“I feel very good because I waited for this for a long time,” Amosov said. “I train hard training, and I feel a lot of motivation and responsibility. I’ll relax after the fight, and I’m happy because I think I gave my country a good day. It’s the first time I’ve had big support in the cage. In America, I’ve had support, but not like today – many Ukrainian flags, many Ukrainian people.

“Thank you for my country. Thank you for my army and the fans. It was for my country. Today, I think it is a very good day for my country to hold two gold belts.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 291.

Yaroslav Amosov def. Logan Storley at Bellator 291: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Yaroslav Amosov’s welterweight title unification win over Logan Storley at Bellator 291 at 3Arena in Dublin.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag]’s welterweight title unification win over [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] at Bellator 291 at 3Arena in Dublin. (Photos courtesy of Lucas Noonan, Bellator MMA)

Jerry Sisemore of Texas has been named to the Associated Press All-America football team, offense, for 1971. (AP Photo)

Bellator 291 results: Ukrainian champ Yaroslav Amosov returns from war to dominate Logan Storley

They say war changes a man and in the case of Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov, it might’ve made him a better fighter.

They say war changes a man. In the case of Bellator welterweight champion [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag], it might’ve made him a better fighter.

Amosov looked his best Saturday night at Bellator 291, where he dominated [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] for five rounds and cruised to a unanimous decision win to defend his 170-pound title for the first time. Amosov’s successful title defense came after he spent nearly 10 months defending Ukraine in the war against Russia, which invaded his country almost exactly one year ago.

After his impressive display, Amosov’s attention turned back to the ongoing struggle in his country.

“It was one year yesterday when crazy Putin started war in my country,” Amosov said on the mic inside Dublin’s 3Arena. “He wants to kill kids who are Ukrainian. I want to say thank you to Ukrainian military for the defense of my county. Thank you to everyone who helps my country.”

WHAT A MOMENT! 👏

📺 #Bellator291 LIVE | @SHOsports | @BBCiPlayer | @VMSportIE pic.twitter.com/hIytrc5Ixz

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 25, 2023

It had been 20 months since Amosov last competed in an MMA fight, when he won the title from then-champion Douglas Lima in June 2021. The question heading into the Storley fight – a rematch of a November 2020 split decision win for Amosov – was how he’d look physically after the long layoff and mentally considering all that he’s been through as a soldier of war.

Amosov (27-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) quelled any concerns right from the start, showing sharp hands and good movement. Early on he found success with both volume and damage as he consistently pelted Storley (14-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) with three, four, and sometimes five-punch combinations, causing a cut to Storley’s right eye in the first round.

That continued to be the theme as the fight progressed, as well as Amosov stuffing all of Storley’s takedowns.

All in all, it was a triumphant return for an undefeated champion who put his career on hold for a greater purpose.

“Ukrainian people, I love you,” Amosov said. “I love all my people.”

Below are complete Bellator 291 results:

Yaroslav Amosov def. Logan Storley via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – to defend welterweight title
Jeremy Kennedy def. Pedro Carvalho via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bryce Logan def. Peter Queally via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:32
Sinead Kavanagh def. Janay Harding via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Ciaran Clarke def. Leonardo Sinis via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Karl Moore def. Maciej Rozanski via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Shipman def. Charlie Ward via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Oleg Popov def. Gokhan Saricam via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Norbert Novenyi Jr. def. Andy Manzolo via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 3:13
Brian Moore def. Luca Iovine via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Richie Smullen def. Piotr Niedzielski via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Darragh Kelly def. Dorval Jordan via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:58
Asael Adjoudj def. Liam McCracken via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Khasan Magomedsharipov def. Rafael Hudson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:40
Jena Bishop def. Elina Kallionidou via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kenny Mokhonoana def. Craig McIntosh via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:13
Dmytrii Hrytsenko def. Daniele Scatizzi via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Steven Hill def. Joel Kouadja via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:03

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 291.

Twitter reacts to Yaroslav Amosov’s title unification defense vs. Logan Storley at Bellator 291

The MMA community heaped praise on 27-0 champion Yaroslav Amosov after he dominated Logan Storley in his return from war at Bellator 291.

[autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] returned from fighting a war in his native Ukraine on Saturday to successfully defend his welterweight title against [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] in the Bellator 291 headliner.

Amosov (27-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) got back in the cage for the first time since June 2011 and defeated interim champ Storley (14-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) by lopsided unanimous decision in the main event rematch at 3Arena in Dublin.

After earning a split decision in their first meeting at Bellator 252 in November 2020, Amosov moved to 2-0 against Storley, and remains the only person to beat him in MMA competition.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Amosov’s victory over Storley at Bellator 291

* * * *

Bellator 291 predictions: Who’s picking Logan Storley to upset Yaroslav Amosov?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the Bellator 291 main card in Dublin, featuring Yaroslav Amosov vs. Logan Storley.

	Amosov vs. Storley	Carvalho vs. Kennedy	Logan vs. Queally	Harding vs. Kavanagh	Clarke vs. Sinis
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 15-11	Amosov (73%)	Kennedy (80%)	Queally (83%)	Kavanagh (77%)	Clarke (90%)
Matt Erickson 18-8	Storley	Kennedy	Queally	Harding	Clarke
Matthew Wells @MrMWells 17-9	Amosov	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 17-9	Amosov	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 16-10 2018, 2022 Champion	Amosov	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
Simon Samano @SJSamano 16-10	Amosov	Carvalho	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
Nolan King @mma_kings 15-11/em>	Amosov	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
Brian Garcia @thegoze 15-11 2017 Champion	Storley	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 14-12	Amosov	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 14-12	Amosov	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 12-14	Amosov	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke
Mike Bohn @MikeBohn 12-14 2014 Champion	Amosov	Kennedy	Queally	Kavanagh	Clarke

Bellator 291 predictions: Who’s picking Logan Storley to upset Yaroslav Amosov?

Bellator is in Ireland with one of the most dominant fighters in MMA at the top of the bill.

Bellator 291 takes place Saturday at 3Arena in Dublin. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, welterweight champion [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] (26-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) meets interim champ [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) in a title unification bout. The two fought in late 2020, when Amosov took a split decision. He won the title his next time out.

Amosov is slight favorite at -165 at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Storley is +130. But our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are siding with Amosov, who has MMA’s longest active winning streak, at a big 9-2 clip.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Pedro Carvalho[/autotag] (13-6 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) at featherweight. Kennedy nearly is a 3-1 favorite, and he’s a near-unanimous pick at 10-1 from our staff members.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Peter Queally[/autotag] (13-7-1 MMA, 2-3 BMMA) is just a -150 favorite at lightweight in front of his home fans against [autotag]Bryce Logan[/autotag] (12-7 MMA, 0-4 BMMA), but Queally is one of our two unanimous picks on the main card at 11-0.

[autotag]Janay Harding[/autotag] (6-6 MMA, 3-4 BMMA) and [autotag]Sinead Kavanagh[/autotag] (8-5 MMA, 5-5 BMMA) meet in a women’s featherweight fight, and each is hoping a win will lead to a title shot. Kavanagh is more than a 2-1 favorite on her home turf, and she has a near-unanimous edge in the picks at 10-1.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Ciaran Clarke[/autotag] (6-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) takes on late-notice replacement and promotional newcomer [autotag]Leonardo Sinis[/autotag] (11-5-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) at featherweight. Clarke is the biggest favorite on the main card at more than 4-1, and not surprisingly is our other unanimous pick.

In the MMA Junkie consensus picks, Amosov (73 percent), Kennedy (80 percent), Queally (83 percent), Kavanagh (77 percent) and Clarke (90 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 291.

Bellator 291 video: Yaroslav Amosov vs. Logan Storley final faceoff for title fight

Check out the final faceoff for the Bellator 291 main event welterweight title unification fight between Yaroslav Amosov and Logan Storley.

DUBLIN – [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] and [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] had their final pre-fight meeting at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of their Bellator 291 main event title unification fight.

Welterweight champion Amosov (26-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) takes on interim champ Storley (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) for the belt. Storley won an interim title while Amosov, from Ukraine, was in the military fighting for his country after Russia’s invasion and act of war in 2022. The two fought in 2020, when Amosov handed Storley the only loss of his career so far – a split decision at Bellator 252.

Watch the video above to see the Bellator 291 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff between Amosov and Storley.

Bellator 291 takes place Saturday at 3Arena in Dublin. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 291.

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Bellator 291 video: Yaroslav Amosov, Logan Storley on mark for welterweight title main event

The first Bellator international headliner of 2023 is official after Yaroslav Amosov and Logan Storley made weight Friday.

DUBLIN – The first Bellator international headliner of 2023 is official after [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] and [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] made weight Friday.

Ahead of Saturday’s Bellator 291, which takes place at 3Arena in Dublin with a main card on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie, Amosov (26-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) and Storley (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) stepped on the scale at the official weigh-ins.

Amosov, Bellator’s welterweight champion, is returning for his first fight since June 2021 after he served for months in his native Ukraine’s military after Russia’s invasion in 2022. He weighed in at 169.4 pounds. Storley, Bellator’s interim welterweight champ, was 169.4, as well. He’ll be trying to avenge the lone loss of his MMA career, which came by split decision to Amosov in November 2020.

Check out the video from their trips to the scale above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 291.

Returning to MMA from war, Ukrainian champ Yaroslav Amosov tries to focus on Bellator 291 title fight

Yaroslav Amosov admits that his outlook on MMA is “now a little bit different” after spending nearly 10 months fighting Russian forces in Ukraine.

DUBLIN – After everything he’s seen, everything he’s experienced, everything that’s happened and continues to happen in his war-torn country, how can [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] possibly focus on an MMA fight?

That’s the task in front of the Bellator welterweight champion, who will unify the 170-pound title when he meets interim champ [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] in the Showtime-televised Bellator 291 main event Saturday at 3Arena. It’s a rematch of a November 2020 fight that Amosov won by split decision.

Amosov’s return to the cage comes on the heels of spending nearly 10 months serving in Ukraine’s military. When Russian forces invaded his country last February – almost one year to the day – Amosov put his MMA career on hold. And, quite frankly, put his life on the line to defend his country.

During one portion of his media day session with reporters Wednesday, Amosov reflected on his decision and how it impacted his wife.

“She’s scared. She understands maybe I don’t call today, maybe not tomorrow. We don’t know,” Amosov said. “When the war started, she listened to what happened, because the first attack was close to my city. She heard rockets, airplanes shooting. She listened to all of this. … Of course, she’s scared. All people scared.”

Eight months prior to the Russia-Ukraine war beginning, Amosov won gold by beating then-champ Douglas Lima in a lopsided unanimous decision at Bellator 260. Amosov was slated to make his first title defense vs. Michael Page, but the tensions back home prevented him from focusing on training before he ultimately withdrew.

As he gets set for his first competition in 19 months, Amosov said the fighting back home – which has resulted in the deaths of more than 7,000 Ukrainian civilians – does serve as motivation, but he admits his outlook is “a little bit different.”

“The situation in Ukraine now is motivation,” said Amov, who will return to Ukraine to fight after Bellator 291, but not after he sees his wife and son. “Sometimes I think I’m training, and I think it’s hard training for me, not very good. Then after I think, I know why I’m fighting. For (Ukrainian soldiers), it’s hard. For me, just training.”

He continued, “It’s now a little bit different, because I understand. Before I was only a fighter, a sportsman. The cage was my home. Now I understand it’s only sports. It’s a big motivation for me, of course. I train, hard training. But I understand it’s not No. 1.

“No. 1 is save your family, you know? Your people. It’s different.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 291.

Logan Storley: Yaroslav Amosov rematch at Bellator 291 comes down to pushing pace for 25 minutes

Logan Storley believes two extra rounds with Yaroslav Amosov will be the deciding factor at Bellator 291.

DUBLIN – [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] believes two extra rounds with [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] will be the deciding factor at Bellator 291.

Interim welterweight champion Storley (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) will look to unify his belt with champ Amosov (26-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) in Saturday’s main event at 3Arena in Dublin. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Amosov handed Storley the lone loss of his career, defeating him by split decision in a grueling back-and-forth grappling match in November 2020. Now the pair will run things back – and they get 10 more minutes to decide a winner for the undisputed title.

“You have to put things together, not just diving in on a shot” Storley told MMA Junkie and other reporters Thursday at Bellator 291 media day. “Using your hands, setting things up and winning those scrambles and winning those small situations where you don’t let him get the upper hand and score on the judges’ scorecards.

“I think that’s really what this fight will come down to is those small positions and who can continue to push this pace for 25 minutes because that first fight, we were both dog tired at the end of 15, and it was a lot of wrestling.”

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Since losing to Amosov, Storley rebounded with back-to-back decision wins over Neiman Gracie and Michael Page. Storley banked on two-straight five round fights – slugging it out with Gracie and outwrestling Page to capture the interim title.

Looking back at his loss to Amosov, he chalks it up to slipping up in a game of inches.

“It’s a few small scrambles and positions where I let him get a more dominant position,” Storley said. “I would get a dominant position, and it kind of went back and forth. So this fight, I need to make sure that those positions are mine, and really I think that’s what it’ll come down to – and the 25 minutes.

“There’s a big difference when you walk out for Round 4 and Round 5 compared to just 15 minutes. So, I’m excited, and I’m ready. I know I did a lot of – not majorly different, but 25 minutes is different, and I’ve been through two of those fights in the last year, and I know that my body is ready.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 291.

Video: Bellator 291 main and co-main event faceoffs after media day in Dublin

Watch the first faceoffs of Bellator 291 fight week between Yaroslav Amosov and Logan Storley, as well as Pedro Carvalho vs. Jeremy Kennedy.

DUBLIN – MMA Junkie was on the scene for Bellator 291 media day on Thursday and afterward, fighters from the top two bouts came together for their first faceoffs of fight week.

In the main event, welterweight champion [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] (26-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) makes his return to MMA after serving 10 months in the Ukraine military to defend his country from Russian invasion. He will unify the title against interim champion [autotag]Logan Storley[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) in a rematch from November 2020 won by Amosov. And in the co-headliner, [autotag]Pedro Carvalho[/autotag] (13-6 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) meets [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) in a key featherweight bout.

You can watch them face off in the video above.

Bellator 291 takes place Saturday at 3Arena. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 291.