Bulgaria will have two clear points of focus at SENSHI 32 Grand Prix on July 11, with {Ali Yuzeir} entering the middleweight tournament and {Zhulien Rikov} returning for a featured super fight in Varna. The event takes place at the beach arena in Sts. Constantine and Helena Resort near Varna, starting at 7:30 PM EET, with 16 fighters from 13 countries scheduled to compete across the Grand Prix bracket, reserve bouts, and super fights.
You can watch the SENSHI 32 Grand Prix live and free worldwide on SENSHI's YouTube channel and TrillerTV. Viewers in the United States and Canada can tune in via Swerve Combat, while fans in Bulgaria can watch on Bulgaria ON AIR, DIEMA, and Max Sport 1.
Ali Yuzeir
Ali Yuzeir carries a unique role on this card. He is the lone Bulgarian in the eight-man SENSHI middleweight Grand Prix at 85 kilograms, and he opens his run against Ireland's Joshua Akingbade. If he advances, he could be required to fight as many as three times in one night on the road to the tournament title and the SENSHI middleweight belt. That setup puts extra attention on his first-round matchup.
The Bulgarian striker has said his camp has centered on both preparation and film study. Working mainly with coach Petar Petrov and receiving support from Dragomir Yordanov of Sports Club "Desant," he has also been training alongside Rikov in sparring ahead of the event. He explained that the final stage of camp would shift from sparring to weight management, with the last week focused on making the limit.
The 27-year-old Yuzeir also outlined what he expects from Akingbade. Yuzeir said his team studies every opponent's strengths and weaknesses before fight night and always prepares a second option if the first plan needs to change. In this case, he expects range to be a key issue. Because of Akingbade's height, Yuzeir said he may need to work at close distance even though his usual preference is to fight at medium or long range. He added that he always looks for a knockout finish.
There is also a personal angle to his appearance in Varna. Yuzeir said the pressure of fighting in front of a home crowd is real, and that the walk to the ring brings extra energy. Once the bout starts, though, he narrows his focus to the voices in the corner. He said he tries to hear only his coach and his opponent's coach, shutting out the crowd once the action begins.
"The responsibility is huge. This time I'll be fighting in front of my home crowd." Yuzeir has trained in martial arts for 13 years aand describes himself as a fighter who "never give up.” His stated goal is simple: win a world title in SENSHI.
Among his past achievements, he points to his last SENSHI win over Karim Mabrouk at SENSHI 29 as a major moment. His background also includes being the 2018 Muay Thai world champion, the 2015 European vice-champion, and the 2017 Balkan Best Fighters K-1 champion.
Zhulien Rikov
Zhulien Rikov enters the same event with a different assignment but a similar level of expectation. The 20-year-old Bulgarian is set to face Italy's Daniele Valente in a SENSHI 32 super fight at 75 kilograms.
He arrives with strong momentum after winning the SENSHI Grand Prix title in the division in February, where he came through three opponents in one night. That tournament win remains the result he rates highest in his own career, calling it the hardest victory so far.
In the buildup, Rikov said he has been training twice a day and building his strategy with his coach through opponent analysis. He explained that he studies strengths and weaknesses before every fight and looks for areas where he can create an edge. "The preparation has been tough, as always, and I am ready to perform at my best on July 11."
"I have proven myself many times, and I will continue to do so." He also described himself as a versatile fighter who does not depend on one weapon, saying some tactics require stepping back and letting the opponent build false confidence before slowing down.
Alongside his SENSHI title, he is a two-time World Cup winner, a two-time European Cup champion, and an eight-time Bulgarian national champion. He has trained in martial arts for seven years and says his biggest strength is his heart. "There is definitely some underestimation from my opponents because of my young age, but that only works in my favor."
Across the ring, Valente brings his own SENSHI experience and a direct style. The 23-year-old Italian has trained in martial arts for nine years and says he first got into fighting to learn self-defense, with Giorgio Petrosyan serving as a major influence. Asked what a SENSHI win would mean, he said it would prove his level and add a major result to his resume. "I know you will be prepared, and so will I. Let's fight!" He added.
SENSHI 32
The full fight card gives the event a tournament feel from top to bottom. In the SENSHI 32 Grand Prix main bracket, Akingbade meets Yuzeir, David Szabo-Toth faces Fabian Lorito, Ulric Bokeme takes on Juri de Sousa, and Miles Simson meets Oliver Langlois-Ross. The reserve fights pair Angelo Mirno against Ricardo Luckei and Ramy Deghir against Sharif Ben Mabrouk. The super fights feature Nathan Cook vs. Francesko Xhaja at 95+ kilograms under Full Contact rules, and Valente vs. Rikov at 75 kilograms under the same rules.
- Joshua Akingbade vs Ali Yuzeir - Grand Prix
- David Szabo-Toth vs Fabian Lorito - Grand Prix
- Ulric Bokeme vs Juri de Sousa - Grand Prix
- Miles Simson vs Oliver Langlois-Ross - Grand Prix
- Angelo Mirno vs Ricardo Luckei - Grand Prix reserve fight
- Ramy Deghir vs Sharif Ben Mabrouk - Grand Prix reserve fight
- Nathan Cook vs Francesko Xhaja - Superfight, 95+ kg
- Daniele Valente vs Zhulien Rikov - Superfight, -75 kg
Source: beyondkick.com