Vadim Nemkov disclosed that kidney problems in 2022 severely impacted his performance against Corey Anderson. He could only maintain energy for one round in sparring and fights, leading to his first-bout loss to Anderson. Medical evaluation traced the issues to weight cuts and sports supplements. After finding the proper medication in Thailand before their rematch, Nemkov eliminated all sports nutrition from his regimen. He now only takes basic vitamins including omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and vitamin B. Nemkov stated he hasn't felt worse since removing supplements like creatine, protein, and BCAAs from his diet.
Vadim Nemkov has opened up about a hidden health crisis that derailed his performance in his first meeting with Corey Anderson, revealing that serious kidney problems were behind the loss.
The Russian light heavyweight, now 32 years old and carrying a 19-2 professional record, disclosed that the kidney issues emerged in 2022 and left him unable to sustain energy beyond a single round — whether in sparring or in competition itself. Medical evaluation eventually tied the problems to his weight-cutting process and his use of sports supplements. Nemkov said he tracked down appropriate medication during a training stint in Thailand ahead of their rematch, and that discovery prompted him to strip his nutritional regimen down to the basics: omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and vitamin B. He noted that cutting creatine, protein powders, and BCAAs from his diet has not made him feel worse — quite the opposite.
Corey Anderson, the 36-year-old American fighting out of The Kennel Fight Club, stands six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded threats in the division. His record sits at 14-5, and he averages 4.43 significant strikes per minute at 46 percent accuracy while also posing a substantial grappling threat at nearly five takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Nemkov's disclosure reframes the first Anderson bout as a compromised performance rather than a competitive benchmark between the two.
- The kidney diagnosis and subsequent supplement overhaul represent a significant change in how Nemkov now approaches training and fight preparation.
- With both men holding strong records in a competitive light heavyweight landscape, the health context adds new dimension to how their rivalry is understood.
