Vadim Nemkov disclosed that kidney problems in 2022 severely affected his stamina during training and his first fight with Corey Anderson. He would gas out after one round in sparring sessions and felt depleted in the second round of the Anderson bout despite dominating the first. After traveling to Thailand for a training camp before the rematch, doctors identified the kidney issue and prescribed a legal pharmaceutical treatment that resolved the problem. Nemkov has since eliminated all sports supplements from his diet, including creatine, protein, and BCAAs, keeping only basic vitamins like omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and B vitamins. He reports feeling no worse without supplements as long as he maintains proper nutrition and sleep.
Vadim Nemkov has revealed that a kidney condition quietly undermined his conditioning during the 2022 period that included his first meeting with Corey Anderson, explaining for the first time why his stamina fell short of expectations during that stretch.
The Russian light heavyweight, now 32 years old and carrying a 19-2 record, said the problem became apparent in sparring, where he would be gassed out after a single round. He described feeling the same depletion hit him in the second round of his first fight against Anderson, even though he had controlled the opening frame. Nemkov stands six feet tall with a 76-inch reach and has consistently demonstrated sharp striking, connecting on half of his significant strike attempts throughout his career.
The situation only came to light after Nemkov traveled to Thailand for a training camp ahead of the rematch. Doctors there identified the kidney issue and prescribed a legal pharmaceutical treatment. The problem was resolved, and Nemkov has since overhauled his supplement regimen entirely. He cut creatine, protein powders, and BCAAs from his diet and now limits himself to basic vitamins including omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and B vitamins. He reports no drop in performance from the change, provided his nutrition and sleep remain in order.
His opponent in those bouts, American wrestler Corey Anderson, is 36 years old and holds a 14-5 record. Anderson, who fights out of The Kennel Fight Club, is a physically imposing presence at six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach. He generates nearly four and a half significant strikes per minute and is one of the more active takedown artists in the division, averaging close to five takedown attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Nemkov's disclosure reframes how the first Anderson fight should be evaluated, given he was managing an undiagnosed medical condition throughout
- The kidney treatment and supplement overhaul suggest Nemkov believes he is now in better physical condition than he was during that period
- Both fighters remain active light heavyweights, keeping any future divisional implications open
