Vitalii Yakymenko
Ukrainian mixed martial artist (born 1996)
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Vitalii Yakymenko (Ukrainian: Віталій Якименко;[1] born August 30, 1996) is a Ukrainian professional mixed martial artist. He is the current KSW Bantamweight Champion. Yakymenko has previously competed on Brave Combat Federation, and Fight Exclusive Night.
Kharkiv, Ukraine
| Vitalii Yakymenko | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 30, 1996 Kharkiv, Ukraine |
| Native name | Віталій Якименко |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Weight | 136 lb (62 kg; 9 st 10 lb) |
| Division |
|
| Reach | 66.5 in (169 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Kharkiv, Ukraine |
| Team |
|
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 13 |
| Wins | 11 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Professional career
Early career
Yakymenko made his professional debut on August 23, 2020 against Sergey Litvinov. Yakimenko won the fight via a first-round submission.[2]
Brave Combat Federation
After accumulating a career record of 4–1, Yakymenko made his debut under Bahraini-based federation Brave Combat Federation on April 23, 2023. He faced Mohammad Farhad. Yakimenko won the fight via Unanimous Decision.[3]
Fight Exclusive Night
Yakymenko made his debut with Polish federation Fight Exclusive Night against Piotr Kamiński on August 25, 2023. Yakimenko won the fight via a second-round TKO.[4]
Return to Brave Combat Federation
Yakymenko returned to Brave Combat Federation on December 5, 2023 against Maysara Mohamed. Yakimenko won the fight via a first-round submission.[5]
Return to Fight Exclusive Night
Yakymenko returned to Fight Exclusive Night on February 17, 2024 against Ismaiel Haidari. Yakimenko won the fight via a second-round knockout.[1]
His next fight came three months later on May 17 against Farid Alibabazade. The bout was originally supposed to be for the vacant FEN Flyweight championship, however Yakymenko missed weight which made him inelligible to win the championship. Yakymenko won the fight via a first-round submission.[6]
His last fight with the federation came six months later on November 23 against Jan Ciepłowski. Yakymenko lost the fight via Split Decision.[7]
Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
On August 13, 2025, it was announced that Yakymenko has signed a contract with Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki[8] He made his debut a month later on September 20 against former UFC fighter Rogério Bontorin. Yakymenko won the fight via a third-round TKO.[9] This win earned him his first Knockout of the Night bonus.
KSW Bantamweight Champion
Yakymenko faced Sebastian Przybysz on February 21, 2026, for the KSW Bantamweight Championship. Yakymenko won the fight via a Split Decision, winning his first career championship.[10]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
- KSW Bantamweight Championship. (One time; current)
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 13 matches | 11 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 4 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 11–2 | Sebastian Przybysz | Decision (split) | KSW 115 | February 21, 2026 | 5 | 5:00 | Lubin, Poland | Won the KSW Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–2 | Rogério Bontorin | TKO (punches) | KSW 110 | September 20, 2025 | 3 | 4:30 | Rzeszów, Poland | Knockout of the Night. |
| Loss | 9–2 | Jan Ciepłowski | Decision (split) | Fight Exclusive Night 57 | November 23, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 9–1 | Farid Alibabazade | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fight Exclusive Night 54 | May 17, 2024 | 1 | 3:52 | Piła, Poland | For the vacant FEN Flyweight Championship. Yakymenko missed weight (128.5 lb) and was ineligible for the title. |
| Win | 8–1 | Ismaiel Haidari | TKO (punches) | Fight Exclusive Night 52 | February 17, 2024 | 2 | 1:48 | Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 7–1 | Maysara Mohamed | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Brave CF 77 | December 5, 2023 | 1 | 2:10 | Isa Town, Bahrain | Return to Flyweight. |
| Win | 6–1 | Piotr Kamiński | TKO (retirement) | Fight Exclusive Night 49 | August 25, 2023 | 2 | 2:34 | Mrągowo, Poland | |
| Win | 5–1 | Mohammad Farhad | Decision (unanimous) | Brave CF 70 | April 23, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | |
| Win | 4–1 | Albert Meliksetyan | TKO (punches) | Professional League Storm 2 | December 18, 2021 | 1 | 2:50 | Poltava, Ukraine | |
| Win | 3–1 | Albert Meliksetyan | Decision (unanimous) | World Warriors FC 20 | September 25, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Kyiv, Ukraine | Bantamweight debut. |
| Loss | 2–1 | Roman Akhremchik | KO (flying knee) | World Warriors FC 19 | May 15, 2021 | 1 | 0:15 | Kyiv, Ukraine | 2021 WWFC Flyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 2–0 | Ruslan Kolomiets | Submission (D'Arce choke) | Road to Kars FC 2 | September 19, 2020 | 1 | 1:50 | Kharkiv, Ukraine | |
| Win | 1–0 | Sergey Litvinov | Submission (guillotine choke) | Road to World Warriors FC: Kharkiv Open Cup Grand Final | August 23, 2020 | 1 | 4:07 | Kharkiv, Ukraine | Flyweight debut. |