Vorovski: “Ramon Dekkers is always in my heart”

When Maxim Vorovski (29-3-1, 15 KO’s) steps into the ring at GLORY 47 LYON he will immediately set a record, becoming the fighter who has waited the longest between first signing a GLORY contract and actually getting to make his debut.   Vorovski was originally signed to take part in the Lightweight Grand Prix which commenced at GLORY 1 STOCKHOLM back in 2012, but continual problems with cutting weight prompted him to withdraw.   Fast-forward to today and Vorovski has not moved up one weight class but two: he is now a middleweight, hitting the scales on weigh-in day at 85kg/187lb.   “It’s true, I just couldn’t make lightweight any more,” he says. “One day I ended up in the hospital because my kidneys were failing. I had no fat to cut and I used to cut weight just by pure dehydration, which is bad for the body and dangerous too.”   “So I decided to move up. Let my opponents be bigger, whatever. At middleweight I feel great. My stamina is good and I am powerful and explosive. This is the right weight for me.”   In the period between GLORY 1 and GLORY 47, he has gained not only weight but experience. He has secured wins over some top-level European talent, including former ITS SHOWTIME middleweight champion Sahak Parparyan.   Born and raised in Estonia to Russian parents, Vorovski conducts his training camps these days at Fight Club Den Bosch in the Netherlands, home of featherweight champion Robin van Roosmalen. He is trained and managed by William van Roosmalen, Robin’s father.   It’s the second period in his life where he is in the Netherlands training under a notable champion. Eight or nine years ago, when still an amateur, he came into contact with the late, great Ramon Dekkers and was invited to train with the legendary fighter.   That led to Vorovski relocating to the southern Dutch city of Breda to train at Dekkers’ Golden Glory gym, which at that time also hosted the likes of Gokhan Saki, Nieky Holzken, Errol Zimmerman, Van Roosmalen and more.    “I lived in Breda for three years. At one point Ramon took me under his guidance and I was very happy about that. We had much in common. He prepared me for my fight with Dzhabar Askerov, my second pro fight, and even though I lost on points in an extra round, we all felt I won,” he says.   “I gained so much experience and learned so much. It was a great period. Ramon is always in my heart, every time I go in the ring, I think about him. He inspired me a lot.    “One of the most important things he said to me was that when you are in a hard fight, against a guy who is very strong, you must believe in your mind - really believe - that no matter what, you are stronger. I had to draw on that teaching once, in a fight with Igor Lyapin, and it worked.”   Vorovski will be carrying that teaching into battle this weekend when he faces Yassine Ahaggan (32-6, 22 KO’s) at GLORY 47 LYON on the ‘Superfight Series’ card.    “I don’t know anything about him but it doesn’t matter, I treat all my fights the same way. I train hard, I am motivated, I get ready for war. When the bell rings I will just go out and fight,” says the Estonian.   “I belong here in GLORY. If you look at my fights you will see I faced and beat some of the best, including former ITS SHOWTIME middleweight champion Sahak Parparyan, so it’s time to show now what I can do.”   How to watch:   GLORY 47 SuperFight Series airs worldwide on UFC Fight Pass at 1pm ET / 10am PT    GLORY 47 Lyon on ESPN3 at 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT on October 28th!   Outside of the USA? Check your local listing here: http://bit.ly/2yy6H3h  Purchase the GLORY 47 Lyon main card PPV:http://bit.ly/GLORY47ppv