After winning 205lb gold in two separate promotions, Ukraine’s Andrey Vasilenko is looking to the big leagues.
Commerce, CA — The Ukraine’s Andrey Vasilenko isn’t exactly a household name, but he’s put together a solid win streak over the past couple of years. While three straight victories isn’t Khabib territory, the 28-year old light heavyweight has won titles in his last two fights, including this past weekend at LXF 3.
There, Vasilenko earned the LXF light heavyweight championship, battling Blake Troop to a unanimous decision in the process. Speaking to Cageside Press after the fight, Valsilenko said he knew Troop might wear himself out. “I know this guy rushes in the first round. Most important for me was the keep the pressure in the first round. I think I did it.”
“He’s a big guy and he has a lot of muscles, but a lot of muscles takes a lot of oxygen,” Vasilenko continued. “So I was waiting for when he was going to be tired, like he did in the first round. Then I just started working on my striking, and when I had a chance I took him down. A lot of times I can choke him also, but I didn’t want to risk it. He was slippery. I know he has good ground and pound, so I didn’t want to risk it, I just keep punching him all the rounds.”
What’s next could be interesting. Vasilenko hasn’t been super active, fighting just once per year the last three years. Light heavyweights, however, seem to be in short supply. Complicating matters, however, is that no one seems to want to fight ‘Bichuaa.’
“I always tell my team to find a fight, it’s very hard to find an opponent for me, they’re not taking this fight. So whatever they’re giving to me, I just take it,” he said. His last bout, which saw him win the Smash Global title, saw four opponent changes, revealed Vasilenko.
His coach, however, made the goal clear. “Either UFC, or Bellator. We’ll see. He’s going to train and get ready, he’s going to win a lot of belts.”
“It’s big fights we’re looking for.”
