Bellator middleweight champ Alexander Shlemenko doesn’t fight for the same reasons he did when he was eight fights into his career and, as he told MMAjunkie Radio, “very angry, and hungry to fight.” “The difference is huge, because I am a role model for young Russian kids and also many people are watching me fight from all over the world,” Shlemenko said. “It’s a huge pressure, and I just cannot let them down. I cannot lose.” Unfortunately for the 30-year-old from Omsk, that’s exactly what happened in his most recent appearance. In a step up from his normal weight class, he took on UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz and was submitted in the first round. Shlemenko, however, writes off the setback as a motivating force in his career, which has flourished under the Bellator banner. In 13 appearances, he’s lost only twice and now has defended his belt three times
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Bellator 126′s Alexander Shlemenko: I’m just trying to follow in Fedor’s footsteps – MMA Junkie