As Vladimir Putin’s missiles rain down on his native Ukraine, Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov plans on defending his homeland with everything he’s got. Amosov is an undefeated fighter from Irpin, not far from the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. In a statement released to Instagram (conveniently translated by Ringside24), the welterweight champ silenced any and all doubters.
“Greetings. Probably, many will think that I ran away, I’m hiding or something like that, but this is not so. I took my family to the safe zone. Now I have returned and will defend this country as best I can, with what I can.
Bellator champ Yaroslav Amosov Will Defend Ukraine “as best I can”
I love this country, our own. Russia came to our house and started a war here, many people are dying. Innocents, women, and children. We have to defend this country, and we succeed, friends. And we will succeed, because the truth is behind us.
I would like to address those who subscribed to me from Russia. What is shown to you on TV, you may not watch. This is not true. If I were you, I wouldn’t even watch your news. We are in a real war. I cannot understand those people who do not believe that Russian troops entered Ukraine. I see it with my own eyes, I hear it. Terrible things are happening here. We can do this.
Friends, unite, help each other, and everything will be fine with us. The truth is ours, and victory will also be ours.”
Amosov was scheduled to defend his title at Bellator London on May 13, but considering the state of his homeland this bout looks unlikely. He has a far bigger fight on his hands.
Fortunately, Yaroslav Amosov was able to evacuate his family to a “safe zone” outside of the Ukrainian capital. Some called him a coward for allegedly running away from the war in Ukraine, but his return to the war zone put an end to these accusations.
Various Russian athletes and businessmen are facing serious sanctions from Western sporting and entertainment organizations due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Eurovision won’t let the Russians compete, and the presence of Russian fighters at upcoming UFC and Bellator events in the UK is looking seriously doubtful. Even the English Premier League has ousted Chelsea Football Club’s billionaire owner, Roman Abramovitch.
The world’s eyes remain on Ukraine as the situation unfolds. Hopefully Yaroslav and his family remain safe amid this crisis.
