Yaroslav Amosov hopes to claim gold once again, but this time in the UFC.

Approaching one year since his most recent fight, the Ukrainian star Amosov (27-1) is a free agent. His sights are firmly set on the same end location they’ve been for a few years now behind the scenes.

“We have a plan,” Amosov recently told MMA Junkie in his first interview since his Bellator departure. “We want to sign a contract for just one fight (somewhere). After one fight, we want to go to the UFC.”

According to Amosov, the conclusion of his Bellator contract was the result of an expiration of time, not the conclusion of fights. Amosov says he informed the promotion in 2022 or 2023 of his plans to explore free agency and thinks perhaps that’s what led to a delayed exit.

When he withdrew from a bout vs. Michael Page to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, Amosov said one year was tacked onto the end of his contract – but claims he was not offered additional fights during this time.

“In 2023, one maybe two years ago, we said, ‘Bellator, we have plan. We don’t want to sign new contract. After finishing the contract, we’ll go outside.’ I think that’s maybe why they continued my contract one year. Maybe that’s why. But yes, we have plan to go to the UFC.”

Manager Andriy Spivachuk hinted his client might already know where he’s going next, but elected to not yet publicly announce.

“They promised, but they didn’t give,” Spivachuk said.

Amosov aims for a January 2025 return to action. Renowned for his strong grappling abilities, Amosov thinks he might have to show more exciting aspects of his game to twist the arm of UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby.

That’s why he’s training boxing with WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk (19-0), a fellow countryman.

“I feel I can change my style,” Amosov said. “That’s why I’m an MMA fighter. That’s why I’m an MMA fighter because I can fight in striking, grappling. Now, the last couple months, I trained in boxing. Maybe a couple months ago, I’ve been in boxing camp. Then, maybe now I go to boxing camp again now in Spain. … For me, I think I can grapple and striking. Sometimes, for me, I feel better if I do takedowns and ground-and-pound. Maybe submissions. It’s maybe better for me. I feel it’s, for me, comfortable.”

Despite the result of his last fight, a TKO loss to Jason Jackson in November 2023 that shocked bookmakers, Amosov said he’s identified the problems that went wrong and is not deterred from UFC title gold aspirations.

“I had in my last fight it was many problems in my camp,” Amosov said. “I had many situations close to my family about my country and I had a couple problems. It’s just my problem and he’s a very hard guy. 100 percent. But my last fight was me, but not me.

“… Of course, I have big motivation because my last fight was not so good. I want to show this world I’m a good fighter and I will be champion. My last fight is my fault. I want to show it’s just a mistake. I show this world this mistake. … I think I can do this. I will do this. Maybe that’s better. I’ve trained with many guys, many years and I feel I can do this. I’ll take this belt.”

Biggleswade have come through five matches for the chance to take on York, whose FA Cup pedigree includes a run all the way to the semi-finals in 1955.

Incredibly, eighth-tier Biggleswade saw off Canvey Island 1-0 in the previous round despite finishing the game with only nine men on the pitch after Michael Fisher and Charlie Hayford had been sent off.

“I got through it by praying,” said Northfield.

“For 20 minutes we weren’t very good, we struggled to get a foothold, and weirdly enough, the sending-off (of Fisher) got us playing how I wanted us to play.

“We stayed positive, got on the front foot, created one or two openings and then scored our goal from a great header from Lawrie Marsh late in the half.

“Second half, I felt we were matching a lot of what they did although obviously we had to defend an awful lot of balls into our box. You just block up holes, block up the angles and keep it in front of you.

“George Rose in goal made two or three unreal saves, one with his feet. Charlie Hayford, the second player to be sent off, cleared one off the line. Last five minutes we went to a 4-4-0 and it’s just a big rearguard action.”

Fisher will miss the game against York after his red-card appeal was turned down, but Hayford can play as he only received a one-match ban for two yellows against Canvey Island.

The Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol fight card shows the seven fights that will make up Saturday’s event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Beterbiev puts his WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight titles on the line against WBA champion Bivol, with the winner walking out as the undisputed champion of the 175-pound division. The two were originally scheduled to fight in June 1, but Beterbiev withdrew due to an injury and Bivol went on to defeat replacement Malik Zinad instead to keep the unification bout alive.

Beterbiev, a native of Dagestan who fights out of Quebec, Canada, is 20-0 as a pro with all of his wins coming by way of knockout. He faces his toughest challenge yet in the favored Bivol, also undefeated at 23-0.

After winning an interim WBA title in 2016, Bivol has won 14 consecutive title fights, most famously scoring a unanimous decision over Canelo Alvarez in May 2022.

In Saturday’s co-main event, Chris Eubank Jr. fights Kamil Szeremeta. Also on the card, WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicolson defends her title against Raven Chapman, and viral boxing sensation Ben Whittaker takes on Liam Cameron in a light heavyweight bout.

See the full Beterbiev vs. Bivol card below.

Main Event (ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET)

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol — for the IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA light heavyweight titles

Undercard (DAZN at 12 p.m. ET)

Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Kamil Szeremeta

Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke

Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey — for Opetaia’s IBF cruiserweight title

Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron

Skye Nicolson vs. Raven Chapman — for Nicolson’s WBC featherweight title

Mohammaed Alakel vs. Jesus Gonzalez

IT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis retired from international duty after 101 caps and a scintillating service after Giourkas Seitaridis helped us do the unthinkable and win Euro 2004.

A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up but unfortunately none of them could fill in those big boots.

4

4

Advertisement

4

4

But soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage that plays as a starter week-in and week-out…

That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993 to English parents but qualified for Ethniki through his Greek grandmother.

And what a season he was having, the right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.

And Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played, which was the joint highest return along a select few – only seven of which were outfield players, such as Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.

The defender was fully keen to make the big step to the international stage with the country of his grandmother’s homeland and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.

However, a long and arduous paperwork hell stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming COVID-19 and Brexit slowed things down.

But finally, Greece got the right-back they were begging for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.

It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.

Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.

I still remember speaking to then Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.

The Tottenham hero reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.

A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’

“At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.

“You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.

“Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.

“And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”

A loyal soldier

It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock has been to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career just by looking at his stats.

The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.

The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.

Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.

“Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”

Baldock never played for England, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.

And he served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.

He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tagic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.

But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to.

Francis Ngannou is feeling healthy and strong ahead of his return to MMA against Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants, but the clock is apparently ticking on his time in combat sports.

Ngannou (17-3) already mulled retirement once this year after the tragic death of his 15-month-old son, Kobe. He ultimately decided to return to honor the memory of his child and is all in as he prepares to compete in his first MMA fight in 991 days against Ferreira (13-3) on Oct. 19 at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (ESPN+ pay-per-view, DAZN).

Since officially parting ways with the UFC in January 2022, Ngannou has competed only in boxing. He fought Tyson Fury to a controversial split decision loss in October 2023 and then suffered a knockout against Anthony Joshua in March. He’s now back in the sport that made his name, and with fight camp essentially complete, Ngannou said he’s in good form.

“My body is holding up well,” Ngannou told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “Obviously I had a knee surgery, but that was over two years ago now. It took me quite a long time, over a year to really get back. But now I’m really strong. By the time I get back into the fight, I get very strong. I can kick. Even though kicking is not my cup of tea, I do kick.”

Although Ngannou is solely focused on the task at hand, he admits this fight is the beginning of his wind down from his fighting career. He intends to have more MMA and boxing matches before he hangs up the gloves, but after celebrating his 38th birthday on Sept. 5, he said a timeline to hang it up is crystallizing in his mind.

“I have an appetite to go back into boxing,” Ngannou said. “For sure, I still have a couple fights in both left. I just turned 38, so I will say my retirement, when I start getting around 41 or 42. It could be 40, but this is just in an exceptional case. This time I think I really have to enjoy my time inside the octagon and inside the ring, and then have my last dance and go home.”

Ngannou understands that heavyweights tend to have longer careers in professional fighting than lower divisions. The founder of his home gym in Las Vegas, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, competed well into his 40s. There’s multiple other prominent examples, as well, but Ngannou said he is not in a position where he needs to cling on.

With financial security achieved for his lifetime and beyond, Ngannou said it’s all about picking the right moment to walk away. He has seen all too many instances of athletes sticking around beyond their expiration dates, and Ngannou is adamant he won’t be one of those people.

“Heavyweights can go for a long time,” Ngannou said. “Even middleweight, I think Dan Henderson was 46 when he fought (Michael) Bisping the last time in London and that was in middleweight. Then Glover Teixeira was champion at 42. He was a light heavyweight. But the thing here, I just want to say I want to leave the sport before the sport leaves me. I would like to leave at the top of my game. We will see how it goes. You make plans, but then God has plans. We will see.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.