Demid Volkov, an 18-year-old from Vyritsa near St. Petersburg, won the Russian junior MMA championship in the 93kg division. In March, Volkov also became Russian combat sambo champion in the 88kg category, a rare achievement at such a young age. He trains under Alexander Korshunov and spars with Denis Goltsov, Mokhnatkin, and Khadis Ibragimov. In the final, Volkov defeated 17-year-old Platon Lebedev with takedowns and ground control.
