Vadim Nemkov disclosed that he had kidney problems in 2022 that caused severe cardio issues, particularly affecting his performance in sparring and in his first fight against Corey Anderson. He would perform well in the first round but completely run out of gas in the second, feeling like someone had "cut off the fuel." After consulting with his doctor and traveling to Thailand for a training camp in August before the rematch, he found the cause and a legal medication that resolved the issue, which he continues to use. Nemkov has since eliminated all sports supplements from his diet, including creatine, protein, and BCAAs, as they place stress on the kidneys. He now only takes vitamins including omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and B vitamins, and says he doesn't feel worse without the supplements as long as he maintains proper nutrition and sleep.
Vadim Nemkov has revealed that a kidney condition he developed in 2022 was responsible for the dramatic cardio collapse he experienced during his first fight against Corey Anderson, shedding new light on one of the more puzzling performances of his career.
The Russian light heavyweight, now 32 years old and carrying a 19-2 record, described a pattern where he would feel strong through the opening round before the engine would simply shut down in the second — as though, in his words, someone had cut off the fuel. He traced the issue to his kidneys, which were under enough stress to severely compromise his endurance, including during sparring sessions in the lead-up to that bout.
Nemkov sought medical advice and traveled to Thailand in August ahead of the rematch for a training camp, where the root cause was identified and a legal medication was found to address it. He continues to use that medication today. As part of managing the condition, he has overhauled his supplement routine entirely, cutting out creatine, protein powders, and BCAAs — all of which he says place additional load on the kidneys. His current regimen is limited to vitamins: omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and B vitamins. He reports no decline in how he feels physically, crediting sound nutrition and sleep for maintaining his condition.
Anderson, a 36-year-old American fighting out of The Kennel Fight Club, stands six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach and a 14-5 record. He averages 4.43 significant strikes per minute at 46 percent accuracy and generates a strong 4.89 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a persistent physical threat across multiple dimensions.
Why it matters
- Nemkov's disclosure explains a performance that had previously gone without a clear public explanation
- His supplement changes reflect a long-term management approach to the kidney condition rather than a short-term fix
- The rematch context adds weight to his recovery narrative, suggesting the medical intervention had a direct competitive impact
