“There Is Nothing to Do Here but Sport” – Dmitry Menshikov Revealed Why His Native City of Prokopyevsk Is Called ‘A City of Champions’

Russian knockout artist Dmitry Menshikov was bred for combat. This Friday, the 25-year-old sensation will make his ONE debut in the biggest opportunity of his life – a World Title shot against lightweight Muay Thai king Regian Eersel in the main event of ONE Fight Night 11 on Prime Video.

Slated to go down under the bright lights of the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and broadcast live in U.S. primetime before a massive global audience, Menshikov’s high-stakes battle with “The Immortal” is a serious change of pace from his hard-scrabble upbringing in central Russia.

Dmitry Menshikov was framed by the ruthless Russian conditions

Looking back on his childhood, he said, “I was born in the city of Prokopyevsk, and I’m very proud of it. It’s a small provincial city where previously they mined a lot of coal. But we call it a city of fighters. People mainly do sport, and many fighters started there.”

Raised in a blue-collar town with few attractions, the ONE World Title challenger has known nothing but a life dedicated to hard work and diligent training day-in and day-out. He added, “There is nothing to do here but sport. We are always on the regimen – training in the morning, daytime sleep, training in the afternoon. We don’t go out anywhere. Don’t rest anywhere. Always training, hard work, and commitment.”

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More than just instilling the powerful work ethic that propelled him to the top of Europe’s professional striking scene and now the world’s largest martial arts organization, Menshikov’s upbringing in Prokopyevsk shaped him into the tough, never-say-die brawler that he is today. Because, like every other person from his hometown, he grew up battling the fierce Russian winter, regularly dealing with dangerously frigid temperatures.

Dmitry Menshikov revealed how he kept warm even at -40 degrees

Given the brutal weather outside, Menshikov and other youngsters from Prokopyevsk were typically left with one option of how to spend their time: go to the gym and train. The Russian did exactly that, honing the skills that led him to an impressive 27-1 professional Muay Thai and kickboxing record with an absurd 19 knockouts.

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He explained, “Fighters here are harsh, with character. They have seen a lot, and that’s why they produce spectacular fights. We have a harsh winter, temperatures may go down to minus-40 degrees, but we don’t get cold because we warm up in the gym. We are kept warm by the workouts and the screams of our coach.”