Anastasia Yankova message to fans following loss at Bellator 200
Anastasia Yankova: “Nothing ends, it’s just the beginning. My face is slightly dented, but I am don’t have injuries, so I’ll see you soon.”
Russia’s Anastasia Yankova is highly mediagenic. That’s a polite way of saying ridiculously hot.
The issue of mediagenic women in MMA getting opportunities is always a temporary one, because in the end, if you don’t have the skills to back up the opportunity, you get beaten up.
At Bellator 200 Yankova lost for the first time, via unanimous decision to Kate Jackson. This is typically followed by fanboys declaring that she never was much good and only got the opportunities because he’s hot. However, Yankova lost because everyone loses in this sport.
Afterward, she was grateful for her fans.
“Thank you for all this great support! I did not expect so many kind words! I appreciate it and I am very grateful to each of you!” she wrote on her social network. “Yesterday I lost, but if you choose to be a fighter, take challenges, fight strong opponents, then you also accept the fact that this can happen. The main bonus of a loss – I can note the abrupt disappearance or even gloating of people like this: ‘We are with you, only when everything fine with you.’
“To those who stay with me, regardless of the fact that yesterday the referee raised not my hand, I am very grateful and happy that you are in my life. I have the best team #WeAreAKA in the sport and the best coach Miek Swich. It’s a lot. For the rest I just need time. Nothing ends, it’s just the beginning. My face is slightly dented, but I am don’t have injuries, so I’ll see you soon.”
Yankova’s words were echoed by support from her coach Mike Swick.
“Royce Gracie giving Anastasia Yankova one of the best post-fight speeches I have ever heard,” said Swick of the image below. “The fight didn’t go our way, as Kate beat Anastasia via decision. Though we lost tonight, I am proud of the hard work and sacrifice Anastasia put into this fight. Like I have said a million times, being the hardest worker in the room doesn’t always grant you a success, but I have never seen a great success from someone who doesn’t work hard. I will take hard workers with heart and loyalty over talent any day of the week.
“We grew a team of Monsters at AKA from pure hard work and sacrifice. All have lost, but most have been, or are still, world champions. The unfortunate thing about this sport is that everyone looses. Her opponent tonight is now 10-3, so even though it’s a great record, she also has been defeated three times already.
“It’s a rough and brutal sport, and the rarest thing in it is true heart and rock solid fortitude. I am proud of Anastasia, and all our fighters who carry these same traits. As Royce said, ‘We all lose. We lose a lot sometimes. Losing is what shakes the tree so the bad apples can fall down’ He meant it in just fighting, but I agree with it in life and success in general. Always work hard, always push yourself to your goals, making excuses and attacking others doesn’t help, and as The Rock says #BeTheHardestWorkerInTheRoom.
“Anastasia took the toughest opponent possible for her style, and fought her heart out on a huge stage, live on TV, with over a year layoff. Much much respect. This is the fight life my friends. On to the next…”