Yaroslav Amosov makes a winning return to MMA

• Yaroslav Amosov made a winning return to MMA by defeating Logan Storley at Bellator 291 in Dublin
• The Ukrainian had not competed inside the Bellator MMA cage since the summer of 2021 

Ukraine’s Yaroslav Amosov made a winning return to MMA by defeating Logan Storley at Bellator 291 in Dublin.

Yaroslav Amosov retained his welterweight title after all the judges scored 50-45 in his favour. He moved 27-0 as a professional fighter after the win. The 29-year-old extended the longest unbeaten run in MMA and staked a sturdy claim for the best welterweight in the world.

Yaroslav Amosov. Photo/ MMA Junkie – USA Today.

His unblemished record is surpassed in MMA history by only that of Khabib Nurmagomedov. The retired UFC lightweight champion boasts an impressive record of 29-0.

Amosov, who had revealed before the fight that he returned to promote peace in Ukraine, dedicated the win to his home country as he told the world not to forget what is happening there. The Ukrainian had not competed inside the Bellator MMA cage since the summer of 2021 because he was busy with a more consequential fight.

“Ukrainian people I love you. I want to say thank you my Ukrainian army for defence, thank you for helping my country. Please don’t forget what’s happening [in Ukraine].” Yaroslav Amosov said after his winning return at Bellator 291 on Saturday night.

Yaroslav Amosov’s hometown of Irpin was under siege in February last year. The Ukrainian scrambled to get his family safely across the border before driving 36 hours to Irpin to join the fight against Russian forces. He fought alongside several notable Ukrainian boxers, including current heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, former heavyweight champions Wladmir and Vitali Klitschko, and former lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Amosov had to pull out of his scheduled first title defence in May 2022, offering Logan Storley the opportunity to become interim champion. But on his return, he defended his title against Logan Storley.

Yaroslav Amosov Defeats Logan Storley At Bellator 291

Yaroslav Amosov entered the cage wearing a T-shirt displaying the world “colors of freedom” and bearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Amosov did not look like a fighter who has not stepped in the ring for the past one year. From the start, he showed intentions of defending the welterweight belt. Despite both men being good at grappling, the first round was entirely on the feet.

The Ukrainian fighter was sharp and precise in his shots. He caused damage to Storley’s head, torso and legs, combining punches and kicks. Storley missed an ambitious kick but returned to his corner with a cut below his right eye at the end of the first round.

Amosov made life even more difficult for the four-time Division I All-American collegiate wrestler in the second round. The punches and kicks were strong to bare, and Storley’s eye gradually became worse. However, he was still determined to defeat Amosov.

Yaroslav Amosov dominated Logan Storley from the start. Photo/ MMA Fighting.

Despite blood pouring from his right eye, Storley was still pushing forward to attack Amosov. He fought like a man for the five rounds with his face bloodied.