Bellator welterweight champion Amosov staying in Ukraine to defend home
Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov plans to stay in Ukraine to fight for his country during the ongoing Russian invasion, he said in a video posted to Instagram on Saturday, according to MMA Fighting.
"We are in a real war," Amosov said in a video message translated by Ringside24. "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."
He added: "We have to defend this country, and we succeed, friends. And we will succeed because the truth is behind us."
The 28-year-old noted he has evacuated his family to a "safe zone."
Amosov hails from the Ukrainian city of Irpin, a region close to the capital city of Kyiv.
"Dynamo" is the latest combat athlete to commit to defending Ukraine, joining boxing legends Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. Vitali Klitschko is the mayor of Kyiv.
Amosov (26-0) is scheduled to defend his title against Michael Page (20-1) at Bellator London on May 13. The status of the fight is uncertain.