Vadim Nemkov disclosed that kidney problems in 2022 caused severe conditioning issues that affected his first fight against Corey Anderson and his sparring sessions. Nemkov would feel adequate in the first round but would completely run out of energy by the second round, describing it as if someone had "shut off the gas." After extensive medical consultations and testing, doctors identified the kidney issue while he was training in Thailand and found a legal, over-the-counter medication that resolved his problems. As a result of these health concerns related to weight cuts, Nemkov completely eliminated sports supplements (creatine, protein, BCAAs) from his regimen, now only taking vitamins including omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and B vitamins. He noted that removing sports supplements hasn't negatively impacted his performance, emphasizing that proper nutrition, sleep, and vitamins are the most important factors.
Vadim Nemkov has revealed that a kidney condition in 2022 severely hampered his conditioning during his first fight against Corey Anderson and throughout the training camp that surrounded it.
The Russian light heavyweight, now 32 years old and carrying a 19-2-0 professional record, described a troubling pattern in which he felt functional through the first round of sparring or competition but would suddenly and completely lose energy by the second, comparing the sensation to someone shutting off a gas supply. After seeking extensive medical consultations and undergoing testing while training in Thailand, doctors identified the kidney issue and found a legal, over-the-counter medication that resolved the problem.
The health scare also prompted Nemkov to overhaul his supplementation routine entirely. He has since eliminated creatine, protein powders, and BCAAs, connecting those supplements to the stress placed on his kidneys during weight cuts. His current regimen consists only of vitamins, including omega-3, fish oil, magnesium, and B vitamins. Nemkov noted the change has not hurt his output, and he now credits proper nutrition, sleep, and basic vitamins as the primary pillars of his physical preparation.
Anderson, the 36-year-old American competing out of The Kennel Fight Club, brings a physically imposing frame to the light heavyweight division at six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach. He carries a 14-5-0 record and averages 4.43 significant strikes per minute with a 46 percent striking accuracy, while also posing a consistent threat on the mat at nearly five takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Nemkov's disclosure reframes the competitive narrative around his first meeting with Anderson, suggesting his performance was compromised by an undiagnosed medical condition.
- The kidney issue and resulting supplement changes raise broader questions about how weight-cut protocols affect fighter health at the elite level.
- Both fighters remain active in a stacked light heavyweight division, making the context of their earlier matchup relevant to any potential future meeting.
