He trains with the legends. He suffers under the baton of the strict Karlos Vémola, he hones his fight on the ground with Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Eldar Rafigaev. Rendys Blahovský is another successful Czech bodybuilder who exchanged the shiny podium for a cage in the shape of a circle. So far, he has celebrated one victory in the bizarre organization and left defeated once. We interviewed Rendys before his Saturday match with the dangerous Sandro Jandejsk, who has, for example, the scalp of professional fighter Václav Mikulášek in his collection.
How do you feel a few days before a tough match?
Hello to all readers. I feel great, despite the weight loss, which was surprisingly easy this time.
I’m looking forward to weighing in on Friday and getting a little milk and drink. Mainly, I will eat myself directly in the cage on Saturday.
I don’t feel any pressure and my head is perfectly adjusted. I’m going to enjoy it and do everything possible and impossible,
to achieve victory.
Your coach is Karlos Vémola. We all know how hard he trains and how strict he is
ward. How was the preparation and would you find a gem from the training that could
fans interested?
No training is easy with Karlos. How to say it… When I go to training with Karlos, I have a bigger one
nerves than from the matches themselves. Training with him is always really up to the mark. Last week we
they had their last sparring session, we were supposed to go 3 rounds and Karlos gave an extra round and really squeezed me
maximum. A gem for the audience, I managed to throw him in the first round. Karlos himself was completely watching and
he praised me. That motivated me, so Saturday’s win will be for my coaches who gave me that chance
to train under them.
You also train under Eldar “Yakuza” Rafigaev, the best jiu-jitsu fighter in our country. how are you do you manage to master the fight on the ground and what is it like to work with such a master?
Yakuza is truly Mr. Master! I’m glad to have him by my side because he means well to me.
He comments on my posts and digs at me (laughs). When I went on vacation, he texted me about what I was doing
on vacation, that I’m not a pensioner and I have to work even after a winning match. He’s really tough, but he delivers
its fruit. I’m glad to have such a capacity next to me. I take him as my head coach now.
I’ve done a lot of work on the ground over the past year. I already feel quite confident there, in some positions I have
good control and sometimes even Karlos had problems to drop me. I started to really enjoy the earth and maybe you
I’m going to try some grapple matches next year too, because the Yakuza are already pushing me to do it.
You are a former bodybuilder. Are you planning to enter the stage again or are you definitely on the path of a fighter?
I put bodybuilding on the back burner. I hardly ever train with dumbbells anymore, only after a match, when
I have a free period, so I’ll go to the weights. I don’t want to say I’m completely done with bodybuilding, but now
i want to be a fighter I have certain ideas of where I want to go. I know what I’m after, and Saturday
winning will be the next step on my journey.
Few people can compare bodybuilding and MMA. Which sport do you think is more demanding? When
let’s forget that in MMA you take blows to the head.
The comparison is complicated. She is a more demanding bodybuilder than me. In MMA, there are hard trainings, sparring, wherever you go
completely over the edge. But bodybuilding is with you 24/7. Food, training, supplements, recovery, sleep.
One cannot imagine what bodybuilding entails. Now I lost 10 kg in MMA
match, but before bodybuilding competitions you have to fill everything to the gram and that’s really no fun.
Your opponent will be Sandro, another of the few true athletes in Clash of the Stars. You want
show the true face of combat sports in a tournament dominated by matches of Internet geeks?
That’s why I chose Sandro because he’s an athlete. And I think that currently the most difficult opponent, which
he offered me in MMA Clash. He beat Mikulášek, he has 13 fights in boxing. Definitely no sharpener.
I’m looking forward to a good fight with someone and the match will go up and down. We’ll see who wants it more.
I’m really looking forward to it.
How do you rate your opponent? Should we expect a hard KO from you?
He is the best possible athlete in the organization. I expect good boxing from him, but also defense against drafts. I
I want to show that I have improved my fighting stance and kicks. I’m not going to go right after the takedown to show everyone that I’m improving and becoming more of a well-rounded fighter.
Crazy press conferences are an inherent part of the Clash. A calm person like you, you have to be there
look like Alice in Wonderland, right?
That’s right. Now I was on the press with Venca Mikulášek, Cverna, Sandra. There were also Snejks and
Businessmen who shouted insults at each other for long minutes and I really didn’t enjoy it anymore. I’m there for
a sport that I enjoy. I am happy to fight in front of so many people. The management of the organization has their fingers crossed for me,
I have a great relationship with them. I appreciate that I can have a third game there and I’m glad that the guys trust me. Definitely
I don’t want to disappoint them and I will give everything to the match.
Do you have any favorites in the organization? Either because of the quirk or the fighting skills?
I have a lot of favorites there, of course. I like both Vašek Mikulášek and Alex Cverna. In their
but of course I am an impartial fan of the match. I like Shark, he’s a nice guy though
does not work. The same for Filip Grznár, who helped me a lot in the beginning. And as for the bizarre, I take it
with insight, which some critics should also perceive.
Is there anything you would like to say to the fans in closing?
I especially want to thank the fans for their great support. I hope that Brno will not blow me up and I will be fine
to cheer I want to show the best match possible, a real grind that will entertain people. I want to take care of myself
victory and fight for the title next year. I also thank the editors of Fights.cz for the interview and look forward to Saturday.
OSS!
Considering Rendy’s statements about the intense demands of bodybuilding and the “fun” element of MMA, do you think the two sports are fundamentally incompatible aspirations, or can an athlete truly excel in both?
This interview is a great jumping off point for engaging discussions about MMA, bodybuilding, and the broader world of entertainment. Here’s a breakdown with open-ended questions designed to spark conversation:
**Thematic Sections & Discussion Questions:**
* **Rendys’ Background & Motivation:**
* Rendys transitioned from bodybuilding to MMA. What do you think drives such a major shift in focus for an athlete? Are there parallels between the two disciplines?
* He mentions finding “true enjoyment” in MMA. What do you think is appealing about the sport that bodybuilding might lack?
* **Training & Mentorship:**
* Karlos Vémola is known for his intense training style. How does Rendys’ experience with Karlos shape his approach to the sport and his own training habits?
* Eldar “Yakuza” Rafigaev is described as a “master” of jiu-jitsu. How important is having a specialized coach in order to excel in a complex sport like MMA?
* **Bodybuilding vs. MMA:**
* Rendys finds bodybuilding “more demanding” because of the constant attention to detail surrounding diet and lifestyle. Do you agree? What are the unique challenges of each sport?
* He acknowledges the “fun” aspect vs. the intensity of both sports. Which lifestyle do you think is more sustainable in the long run?
* **Clash of the Stars & Media Attention:**
* Rendys positions himself as a “true athlete” in a tournament that often features internet personalities. Does his view reflect the state of MMA – is it becoming more entertainment-driven?
* The interview mentions “bizarre” press conferences. What are the benefits and drawbacks of sensationalism in promoting combat sports?
* **Rendys’ Future & Aspirations:**
* He expresses a desire to become a “more well-rounded fighter.” What does this mean to him, and how will he achieve this goal?
* He aims for a title fight in the future. What does this imply about his ambitions and his vision for his career in MMA?
**Additional Discussion Points:**
* **The Role of Entertainment**: Does Rendys represent a shift towards more ”serious” competition within the Clash of the Stars organization, or is it important to maintain its entertainment focus?
* **The Physical & Mental Demands**: Can you relate to Rendys’ statement about bodybuilding requiring constant attention to detail? How does this compare to the mental toughness needed in MMA?
* **The Future of MMA**: Is the rise of personalities from other fields a positive or negative development for the sport? Will MMA continue to evolve beyond its traditional roots?
Encourage diverse perspectives and encourage debate! There are no ”right” answers, but thoughtful discussion can lead to a deeper understanding of these complex issues.
