Former Bellator MMA welterweight champ Yaroslav Amosov has announced he’s moving on from the promotion that saw him rise to frame.
The Ukrainian standout started his career at 27-0, which included capturing gold under the Bellator banner, then taking time away to help in the defense of his native Ukraine following neighboring Russia invading the country.
Amosov (27-1) lost his Bellator championship in his last outing, suffering a knockout in the third round of his fight with Jason Jackson. The defeat was the first of his career.
The 31-year old announced his exit from Bellator on social media on Friday, noting that his contract has completed.
“Friends, my contract with [Bellator MMA] has ended. It was an unforgettable 6 years. A time that will be etched in my heart forever. Thank you all. Soon I will announce my next actions! Unforgettable emotions during winning the title, even greater while defending it, the first defeat in 11 years, the war in the homeland… but I’m sure it’s only made me stronger. It’s all a small part of a big story. This is not the finish line, this is a new beginning. I’m ready for a new phase. New horizons and peaks are ahead. My journey continues, I appreciate everyone who’s been there, those who supported and those who doubted.
“The story doesn’t end, it just changes direction. See you in the octagon,” Yaroslav Amosov concluded. While the UFC has generally been loathe to sign fighters coming off of losses, it’s not entirely unheard of, and Amosov’s overall resume might make him the exception to the rule.
