MMA Series welterweight champion Sergey Bobryshev has opened up about his preparations to return to the cage following an extended layoff.

One of the promotion’s most popular fighters will make his first appearance of 2026 on Dec. 12 at MMA Series-96 in Moscow.

Bobryshev admitted that the unexpected time away ultimately worked in his favor. During the break, the champion was able to recover from injuries, work through some mental challenges and rediscover his motivation to go through a full training camp.

According to Bobryshev, he previously had to balance fighting with a regular job, but once he decided to pursue MMA professionally, he was forced to make a choice. Ultimately, he opted to focus entirely on his fighting career.

The champion also noted that competing too frequently can take a toll on an athlete.

“Fighting often is great, but you can burn yourself out. Maybe I was getting close to that point,” Bobryshev told Viktoria Itsekhovskaya. “There were injuries and some mental challenges. Looking back, I understand that the break was good for me. I recovered, I started missing it again, and I got my energy back.”

Bobryshev said what he missed most was the familiar routine that comes with being a professional fighter.

“I missed fighting. I missed the routine, the diet and the weight cut. I want all of it badly. I even missed the suffering that comes with it — that’s what gets me going,” the champion added.