Comment: Vémola is unnecessarily trampling on his legacy and losing the respect he has earned. If only he didn’t talk so much…

It was 2010 when Karlos Vémola rewrote the history of the Czechoslovak MMA scene and became the first ever fighter from the Czech Republic to enter the UFC. Now, 13 years later, he could and should be considered a legend. But he’s destroying his legacy for nothing.

Vémola? Something broke in his loss to Attila

Until Jiri Prochazka became UFC champion, Karlos Vémola was at least the most famous fighter in the Czech Republic. He deserves a lot of credit for the Czechoslovak MMA scene being where it is now.

Besides being a very good fighter by European standards, he is a great salesman. However, he often overdoes it, as he’s all over the place, even in a negative light. He often fills the pages of the tabloids, which in turn damages the reputation of MMA fighters.

However, when Terminator finishes his rich career, he will surely be one of the legends of our scene. But the question is whether he will be perceived as such by the public eye. Since he’s been in the Octagon, his name has lost not only luster, but also respect.

For a long time Vémola saw himself as the clear Czechoslovak number one. But to this day he hasn’t been able to get over his loss to Attila Vegh and his ego is taking a hit. And it is the aforementioned ego that is more evident than it should be.

And not only ego, but also fear of losing. Something changed after the fight with Attila. The Terminator may claim how he doesn’t pick and choose, but if you look at all of his other opponents, with the exception of Alex Lohore, who is versatile, but was lighter in the fight, he didn’t come across any giant check.

Names like Thomas Robertsen, Vaclav Mikulasek, Milan Datelinka and Michal Pasternak are simply not on a similar level in terms of reputation. The qualities cannot be denied to Aleksandar Ilic, but in terms of style, he was an opponent that was mostly tailor-made for Vémol.

He was looking at a possible fight with Viktor Pesta, the second Czech in the UFC and a great groundskeeper by the way. But Vemola was always setting conditions, and he was teasing Peshta senselessly. It was practically impossible for the fight to happen.

Now he’s going to fight Patrik Kinclo, which will be the biggest test since the duel with Attila. But if the fight happens at all. A lot of people don’t believe that.

Matavao as an opponent is not a problem, Vemola’s statements are

Before Patrik Kinclo, Karlos Vémola is scheduled to fight Al Matavao. A month before the rematch that has been expected for years, which was supposed to happen in December. The risk of injury is just one of the reasons why the fight is being criticized.

The other reason is Matavao’s qualities. Not so much the qualities, but the fact that the Terminator has once again put enormous pressure on himself. And he’s been doing it constantly. He exaggerates everything to the point of absurdity. For example, he is now hugely overestimating Matavao. He says he’s definitely not going to be a giver.

Of course, it could happen that Matavao gets hit early in the fight and wins. BUT he’s clueless on the ground. After all, he was trampled there by Samuel Kristofich, who is lighter and certainly a worse ground man than Vemola.

No one could say a word if the Olomouc native admitted that he needs an opponent to start, as he has a long break and has to slowly start making weight. But instead, extremely exaggerated words came and it is no wonder that criticism and ridicule came after the announcement of the fight.

After all, even in Poland they are starting to notice that Terminator “backs away” from challenges. It would have been enough to be true to his words and not to cling so much to his record and his ego. After all, there are several examples, not only Polish legends. They may have the best behind them, yet they take on huge challenges, risk losing, but simply accept them. And they don’t have strong words about being the best, kings etc.

And one could even single out the names of men whom Vémola himself admires greatly. Mamed Khalidov, for example. Nobody expects the Terminator to beat everybody all the time. No one expects him to change his style, which many fans see as unattractive and boring.

But then there’s the aspect that the current welterweight champion keeps promising something he can’t deliver. After all, he has failed to deliver on many of his promises. Just recall the boxing with Marpe, the words about improving his attitude, the Terminator’s indestructibility, parts swaps or dreams of the first clean KO.

Vemola is a great fighter. His qualities cannot be doubted. However, he is hurting himself. And not just through his legacy, but through his health. He takes too many fights unnecessarily, he overloads his body, he can’t rest. In short, he’s always struggling to prove something to himself.

Of course, there’s a lot of money involved. However, sometimes it wouldn’t hurt to have a little less Vemola and a little more challenge. Even if he doesn’t win, he would certainly get credit for going into the big fights. The tabloids, let them say what they want. However, the Terminator’s sports career simply deserves to not lose its luster.

For now, let’s just hope he doesn’t get hurt, or worse, lose to Matava. That would be a huge slap in the face. Kincl deserves this fight.

Source: Oktagon MMA, Sherdog