“I do not want to talk about my injuries. They are nothing
compared to the deaths of children and civilians killed by Russian attacks,”
these are the words of Miro Vanadze during an interview with The Star.
Miro Vanadze, a two-time mixed martial arts (MMA) world
champion, speaks softly about titles and trophies.
For him, the defining chapter of his life is no longer
written in the ring but on the battlefields of Ukraine, where he has fought as
a volunteer and soldier since the early days of Russia’s invasion.
Vanadze, a Georgian national, lived in Ukraine before the
war began. When Russian forces launched their full-scale attack, he said the
decision to stay and help came naturally.
“I lived in Ukraine before the war started, and after it
began I became a volunteer, helping Ukrainians through a difficult time,”
Vanadze said. “My father once told me that the country where you live becomes
your second home.”
As Russian troops advanced toward Kyiv in the opening phase
of the invasion, Vanadze joined one of the units of the Ukrainian military.
He was deployed to Bucha and Irpin, regions that later
became symbols of the brutality of the early fighting.
“When the Russian army started attacking Kyiv, I became a
soldier in one of the units of the Ukrainian military,” he said.
The cost of the war became personal almost immediately. Vanadze lost two close friends, fellow soldiers, during the initial stages of the conflict.
“At the start of the war, I lost two of my best friends,” he
said. “They were soldiers like me, and now I understand that freedom has no
borders. I am Georgian, but I have to be in this war.”
Vanadze’s decision to fight came despite a successful
sporting career.
A decorated MMA athlete, he holds two world titles and
remains active in the sport, even as he recovers from injuries sustained during
the conflict.
“I was a world champion and I am still a world champion in
MMA,” he said. “I have two titles to my name, but I decided to protect the
people of Ukraine because, for me, this is more important than awards.”
Although no longer on the frontline due to injury, Vanadze
continues to play a visible role in Ukraine’s sporting and civic life.
He is now among the main organisers of MMA tournaments in
the country, an effort he says provides both normalcy and hope amid war.
“I am now one of the main organisers of MMA tournaments in
Ukraine,” he said. “I am happy when I see people and children, and I try to
help improve their skills.”
The response to his decision to fight has been mixed, he
acknowledged. While some peers have chosen to remain on the sidelines, others
from diverse backgrounds have stepped forward.
“There are still many people who do not understand what is
happening and cannot leave their comfort or businesses to become volunteers,”
Vanadze said.
“However, there are many Ukrainians who appreciate what I
did. There are also many former sportsmen and businessmen who are now
volunteers and are making history.”
Vanadze warned that the stakes of the war go beyond
Ukraine’s borders, arguing that failure to resist Russia would erase the
country’s identity.
“We should understand that if we do not protect Ukraine,
there will be Russian flags and language here, and it will mean the end of
Ukraine’s existence,” he said.
“We are afraid of a third world war, and we should leave our
comfort, interests, businesses, and careers to protect our freedom, country,
and people.”
Away from the battlefield, Vanadze balances military
symbolism with civic engagement.
He is the President of the International Assembly of the
Georgian People, a global organisation focused on supporting Georgian
communities abroad.
“There are moments when I have to wear a suit,” he said,
“but when I give lectures or lessons to children, I wear a military uniform to
show our symbols and emblems and to talk about the challenges we face. It is
important for children to know this.”
Loss, he said, has reshaped his outlook on life. “For me, it
does not matter what I wear,” Vanadze said.
“I lost my emotions after losing people close to me. I no
longer celebrate my birthday—it is just another day. All I do now is work and
defend Ukraine.”
The International Assembly of the Georgian People, which he
leads, is not a political movement, Vanadze insisted, despite frequent
misconceptions.
“We are one of the largest Georgian organisations in the
world,” he said. “Our goal is to unite Georgian people and help them with
challenges they face abroad, such as documentation and legal issues.”
He was critical of the political situation in Georgia,
accusing its leadership of aligning with Moscow.
“Some people describe us as a political party, but that is
not true. We are not in politics,” he said.
“In Georgia, there is no democracy or freedom because the
administration is pro-Russian. Many students have left the country, which is a
major problem.”
Vanadze’s days follow a strict routine shaped by war and
recovery. “My day starts at 6 a.m.,” he said. “I attend rehabilitation, then go
to my office at 10 a.m. We have many meetings and activities with a large
team.”
He described the conflict as a “hybrid war,” fought not only
with weapons but also through disinformation.
“There is a frontline, but there is also an information war
filled with propaganda,” he said. “I am not currently on the frontline; I work
on internal logistics.”
Vanadze also used his platform to appeal directly to
European leaders. “I want to call on the European Parliament to impose
sanctions on the illegitimate pro-Russian government of Georgia, release all
political prisoners, and free former president Mikheil ‘Misha’ Saakashvili,” he
said. “Glory to Georgia. Glory to Ukraine.”
Despite his injuries, Vanadze remains determined to return
to professional sport. “I will return because sport is my life,” he said. “I
enjoy training and fighting, but I was injured on the frontline and hope my leg
will fully recover.”
Asked about fear, Vanadze said survival itself has redefined
success.
“Any day in Ukraine is a success because every night
missiles and drones attack us,” he said. “My biggest fear was losing my best
friend, who shared my dream of a free Ukraine.”
He argued that Ukraine continues to face the war with
insufficient international backing.
“Ukraine is not receiving enough support,” Vanadze said.
“This is not just Ukraine’s war—it is a war for all of Europe, a war for
freedom and land.”
In a final message, Vanadze urged the global community not
to look away.
“If you want to live freely, do not ignore this situation,”
he said. “Even small support can save lives. Russia would not dare attack if we
had enough military equipment.”
