Over the past year, no M-1 Global fighter’s stock has risen as much as Artiom
Damkovsky’s has.
Entering 2010, Damkovsky had gone 2-2 in his last four bouts and it wasn’t
clear what direction his future was headed.
Damkovsky responded by having the best year of his career, first by winning
the M-1 Selection Eastern European Lightweight Grand Prix, and then by capping
off 2010 by taking the promotion’s 155-pound world championship.
“Last year seemed to fly by,” Damkovsky told MMAWeekly.com. “I had three tough fights to win the
Selections tournament – all going to decision – and a war with (Mairbek)
Taisumov to win the lightweight belt.
“Each round added more experience and I fought from every position (in the
advantage, at a disadvantage, in trouble, and in control). Continually being
tested has helped me evolve into a more mature, confident fighter.”
Understandably, Damkovsky’s title win was the perfect ending to a grueling
year, and he intends to make sure he’s deserving of such an accomplishment.
“I was really happy about it,” he said. “I worked so hard and trained so hard
to capture this goal and it was such an overwhelming feeling to achieve it.
“I feel a sense of responsibility to my fans; a need to defend. I can feel
that many people believe in me and my abilities and I’m not going to let them
down!”
Damkovsky’s first title defense will come on Friday, March 25, as part of M-1
Global’s historic first live event
on Showtime. According to Damkovsky, history is something he’s used to being
a part of with the promotion and he will make the most of his opportunity.
“I’m already in M-1’s history as their first ever lightweight champion, (and)
I hope that (March) 25 will be another successful page in my career,” he stated.
“Being part of M-1’s debut show on Showtime is also an honor; I want to put on a
great show for fans in America.
“Many will be seeing me for the first time, and (I want to) leave them with a
strong impression of the level of European fighters. Putting on an excellent
fight will also show the fans that M-1 puts on entertaining shows.”
Damkovsky’s first title defense will come against American Top Team prospect
Jose Figueroa in a fight that may be more a clash of physical differences than
fight styles.
“Obviously his height is a big advantage, which will pose a challenge, but
I’ve trained hard to prepare for this and will neutralize it,” said
Damkovsky.
“As for his weaknesses, (he is very well-rounded and) there is nothing
specific, but it appears he doesn’t possess any single outstanding
characteristic in is his fighting style.”
After a breakout year that saw him rise to the top of M-1’s lightweight
division, Damkovsky’s plan for 2011 is simple: keep winning and keep it
entertaining.
“I’m very grateful for the support of all my fans. I will do my best to not
to let them down and put on a great fight,” he concluded. “It’s an honor to
travel to the U.S. for the first time and fight in front of an American crowd
and on Showtime. Thank you to M-1 for this opportunity.
“The goal is to have a minimum of two successful title defenses in awesome
battles.”
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