Demid Volkov: “Dominating is the most important thing”

In early October, Russia’s Demid Volkov won the World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships 2026 in Thessaloniki (Greece). Competing in the Combat SAMBO category up to 88 kg among juniors, he had three bouts and won all of them by early finish. In just a few days, Volkov will compete in the senior division at the World SAMBO Championships in Tashkent.

The victory in Greece gave Demid his second World Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships gold medal. After the final, he spoke to the FIAS website about his fighting style, his preparation for the tournament and his plans for the near future.

Spectators in Greece noticed a real sporting hunger in Demid and a desire to dominate. The athlete agreed: “Dominating is the most important thing.”

He explains his aggressive style simply: “I’m young, and I need to prove myself so that people take notice. I plan to keep developing and keep earning a living from sport, but not only SAMBO – I want to make a name for myself in professional MMA. Combat SAMBO is an excellent foundation, so I give it everything I have.”

Demid prepared for his opponents with a clear plan. “We watched each athlete’s previous bouts and analyzed them with my corner and my coach. He advised me on what to do. I listened, and it all worked out,” he said.

The game plan worked in all three bouts. Even so, the athlete is setting the bar higher: “I want to win even faster. I want early finishes, quicker and more spectacular. And we’re working on that.”

He was pleased with the final: “I’m glad that the last win was an early finish, especially since it was the final. There was a lot of video filming, so I’m happy.”

Preparation for the championships came in several stages. “I spent my first training camp with my own team, with Saint Petersburg, in Kislovodsk – 10 days. Then we went to a camp in Serpukhov, this time with the Russian national team. We spent two weeks there, and from there we went to Greece,” the athlete said.

What Demid liked most about Thessaloniki was the climate: “I like it when it’s warm and sunny. I feel comfortable in that kind of weather.” He also praised the atmosphere and the support from the stands: “I liked the atmosphere of the competition. And, of course, the team support. That suits me fine as well.”

The competition ran almost without a break, and on some days the program finished as late as 23:00. Demid took this in stride: “My father and my coach always answer questions like that the same way: everyone is in equal conditions. So I’m not complaining about anything. As a kid, I competed until midnight and even until one in the morning, so I’m used to any conditions.”

His next start is close: “I’m going to the World Championships in Tashkent.” There he will compete among the seniors. Asked about his goal, Demid said it is the same as at the World Cadet, Youth & Junior SAMBO Championships, but he did not go into details: “I just don’t like talking about my plans. Happiness loves silence – I always say that. Happiness is the most important thing. If you have happiness, the money and everything else will come too, I believe.”