The 19-year-old Bulgarian fighter Zhulien Rikov will defend his country’s honor on the main fight card of the prestigious SENSHI Grand Prix in the up to 75 kg division, where he will face Brazil’s Carlos Barbosa. For Rikov, this will be another appearance in the elite SENSHI fighting series, after already securing two victories on the SENSHI ring, but it will be his first participation in a Grand Prix tournament in the welterweight category.

With an impressive résumé—two-time world champion, two-time European champion, and eight-time Bulgarian national champion—the young Bulgarian fighter enters the tournament on February 28 in Varna, Bulgaria, fully aware that the Grand Prix format demands not only flawless technique, but also exceptional physical and mental resilience. In an interview with Gong.bg, he shared more about his preparation, mindset, and expectations for the event.

His first opponent on the ring, Carlos Barbosa, comes from Brazil and will be making his SENSHI debut, but he already boasts several international titles—Spanish FEKM champion, as well as winner of the Revolt and MFC tournaments. This makes the qualifying bout even more intriguing for Bulgarian fans of combat sports.

– What motivates you most to step into the ring as part of the SENSHI Grand Prix?

– Above all, it’s the big challenge that drives me to get into the ring. The format and the level of the opponents motivate me to give my absolute best and show the highest level I am capable of.

– What is the most difficult thing about having to fight several times in one evening?

– The biggest challenge is managing to stay as healthy and uninjured as possible after the bouts leading up to the final. Every match requires full concentration and energy, and recovery between fights is crucial.

– How will you deal with the pressure and mental strain of three fights for the championship title?

– The pressure will certainly be intense, but I have enough experience and I will try to use it to my advantage. I believe that staying calm and having the right mindset can make the difference in the decisive moments.

– How did your physical and mental preparation for fighting several different opponents go?

– The preparation was extremely demanding and very focused. I worked hard on both endurance and strength, as well as on mental resilience, because without it, it’s impossible to get through a tournament like this.

– What are your expectations for the tournament in the up to 75 kg category, and do you see a particularly dangerous opponent?

– I expect a very strong and competitive division, because all participants are at a high level. Every opponent will be tough, and that is exactly what makes the tournament so exciting and valuable as a test.

SENSHI 29: Fight 1 Zhulien Rikov (Bulgaria) defeated Marius Cimpoieru (Romania) via UD