Vadim Nemkov disclosed that he experienced kidney problems in 2022 that severely impacted his cardio, causing him to gas out after just one round in sparring and in his first fight against Corey Anderson. The issues stemmed from aggressive weight cuts and were not initially diagnosed correctly. After traveling to Thailand for training camp before the rematch, doctors identified the problem and prescribed a legal pharmaceutical solution that resolved his stamina issues. As a result, Nemkov completely eliminated all sports supplements including creatine, protein, and BCAAs from his regimen, keeping only basic vitamins like omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and B vitamins. He reports feeling no worse without the supplements.
Vadim Nemkov has opened up about a serious health issue that hampered his performance during a stretch of his career, revealing that kidney problems developed in 2022 left him unable to sustain his cardio beyond a single round in both sparring sessions and competition.
The Russian light heavyweight, now 32 years old and carrying a professional record of 19-2, said the condition originated from aggressive weight cuts and went undiagnosed for a damaging period of time. Nemkov stands six feet tall with a 76-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most technically precise fighters, posting a 50 percent striking accuracy rate across his career.
The kidney troubles came to light in connection with his rivalry against American contender Corey Anderson. Nemkov described gassing out after just one round ahead of their first meeting, a performance he now attributes directly to the undetected condition. It was not until he traveled to Thailand for a training camp before the rematch that doctors correctly identified the problem and prescribed a legal pharmaceutical remedy that restored his stamina.
Anderson, 36, fights out of The Kennel Fight Club and presents a formidable physical challenge at six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach. He averages 4.43 significant strikes per minute and lands nearly five takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the more complete threats in the light heavyweight bracket with a 14-5 record.
Why it matters
- Nemkov's kidney diagnosis reframes questions about his cardio during the Anderson rivalry
- The condition traced to weight cutting raises broader concerns about how fighters manage rehydration and supplementation
- His decision to drop creatine, protein powder, and BCAAs in favor of only basic vitamins represents a significant shift in his preparation approach
- He reports no decline in how he feels without the supplements, suggesting the change has held through training
