After many years fighting in the KOK organization in Lithuania, S. Maslobojevas has decided to bring his talents to the UTMA organization. The decorated kickboxer stated that one of the key factors for this decision was an attractive financial offer, as well as his desire to find the best challenges at this stage of his career.

For many years, S. Maslobojevas, like other fighters from the “Sparta Gym” club, fought in KOK events in Lithuania. S. Maslobojevas himself became a champion in the organization, but now he and three other fighters from the same club have decided to move to UTMA.

“There was a lot of talk, a lot of negotiations. We reached a decision that satisfies both parties. The official part remains; closing one door will open new ones, and we will move forward. UTMA is a younger but very ambitious organization; it tries to elevate Lithuanian fighters and offers good challenges. I like it; it commands respect. We’re coming in to see who is the best in the country,” said S. Maslobojevas.

The fighter emphasized that the financial aspect of the offer was important to him, but he is now primarily looking for interesting challenges.

“This is a new challenge; a good financial offer came through, which satisfies me. I won’t be building homes for myself or you, but I will definitely have a good time. The opponents here are always competitive, and I need challenges. I believe I will get them. I am in a situation where titles and organizations no longer surprise me. I need notable and accomplished opponents.

The organization gives me a challenge, and I don’t choose my opponents. The only question is about the fee and how much time to prepare. Now I say that it doesn’t matter who, if I have 5 weeks to prepare, it doesn’t matter who I fight. I need opponents who are recognized and have achieved things. I like Kaunas; I feel at home. I like what’s happening. The journey needs to be enjoyed; there are challenges. These are organizational matters, how they will proceed. Our contracts are not exclusive; we can fight anywhere and achieve a lot, but talk numbers, possibilities, and offers, and then we’ll see,” S. Maslobojevas elaborated on his situation.

S. Maslobojevas last appeared in the ring at the “Glory Grand Prix” tournament semifinal, where he suffered a loss to Bahram Rajabzadeh. It was officially announced that after the Lithuanian’s opponent cut his head, which appeared to be a headbutt, it was decided that the headbutt was accidental, and S. Maslobojevas refused to continue the fight.

It is worth noting that S. Maslobojevas was also a former “Glory” world champion, a title he lost after a fight was stopped due to a cut on his leg, and the championship title that belonged to the Lithuanian went to Donegi Abena.

“I have fought in all the major organizations. But we face the challenge of being from a small country. You are not valued; you are pushed aside; you have to fight against the entire system. Winning by points is difficult in bizarre situations, like a leg injury. In one fight, you’re allowed to fight three rounds, but in another, when you are a champion, you don’t have the right to say anything, the fight is stopped without trying to fix it. In another fight, no warning is given when you get hit in the head and your lip is torn. They say, fight if you want, so I should fight until it tears apart and they stop the fight legally. The organization, when it sees value, should show respect, to move forward together. I know I am the strongest in the world,” S. Maslobojevas explained.

The UTMA organization does not yet have experience or many fighters in S. Maslobojevas’s light heavyweight division, but S. Maslobojevas reiterated that he does not choose opponents; what matters to him is that the fight is as competitive as possible.

Additionally, the fighter hinted at the possible end of his career.

“If everything goes well here, we’ll have a contract for at least a year. I have set myself the goal of reaching 40 years old; why not?” smiled S. Maslobojevas.

It is true that in the UTMA organization, Dominykas Dirkstys also fights— a fighter who has publicly challenged not only other “Sparta Gym” fighters but also S. Maslobojevas himself, who is now part of the same organization.

“Talking a lot doesn’t mean doing the work. That’s how I was taught on the street. By actions. I teach my kids and surroundings that actions speak much louder than words. If you want, the gym is open; the third year will soon be over from the talks, and we came ourselves. Is it normal to fight 20 kg lighter opponents? Maybe you want to fight 20 kg heavier ones. You still need to fight against Edvinas Šalkovskis and ‘not fall asleep,’ then you can try with me. I look at it positively.

Every piece of crap has its buyer. Some elevate those who talk, others value those who do. When the moment comes… God willing, that moment will come. So many years have passed, so many threats and promises, we didn’t wait, we came ourselves. Too much attention is given to that person. He has not won or achieved anything significant,” said S. Maslobojevas.

However, S. Maslobojevas has not only encountered D. Dirkstys’s challenges but also their differing views on combat sports. It’s worth noting that D. Dirkstys is the founder of the “Jungle King” organization, which S. Maslobojevas has sharply criticized.

“I watched a film in my youth, the dumbest one called ‘Idiocracy.’ Over time, I realized it wasn’t the dumbest film but a documentary. People stop valuing what is real and what is art, and they value mockery, enjoy watching two homeless people fight. If there are people who value that, I hope there are no such followers among mine. He puts on a show for an audience separate from us. We bring quality to this organization; people watching our fights will know they are watching real fights, not a circus,” said S. Maslobojevas.