If Yaroslav Amosov is fighting for UFC call, Curtis Millender at least wants a text message following CFFC 140 win

Big-show veterans collide in unique special attraction matchup at Friday's event, streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS.

With more than a decade competing at the highest level of MMA, Curtis Millender has seen it all, so when he was told on a little more than a week's notice that his matchup with former Bellator MMA champ Yaroslav Amosov was being moved from Chicago to Philadelphia, he had zero concerns.

Believe it or not, he'd actually been through a similar situation in 2018, when UFC 232 and the rematch between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson was moved from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on less than a week's notice, a card that included Millender vs. Siyar Bahadurzada.

"This is actually the second time this has happened to me," Millender recalled. "I was on Jones-Gustafsson 2. I mean, in that case, it was better because I didn't have to leave anywhere, you know? They brought the show home from Vegas to LA, but, you know, it is what it is. It's still one goal – to go kick some ass. That's what I'm trying to go do."

Millender has been kicking ass on an international stage since his Bellator MMA debut against Brennan Ward in 2015. He would later go on to compete for the UFC before eventually returning to Bellator MMA and then registering appearances with the PFL, as well.

Along the way, he's never shied away from the toughest matchups possible, so when he was offered a chance to face Amosov (27-1), Millender (21-10) jumped at the opportunity.

"I don't say no," Millender said. "I get blessed with these opportunities. My resume speaks for itself. Like, I may not win all these tough fights, but I'm definitely getting these opportunities, and I'm building my resume that I'll get in there with anybody."

The matchup was originally expected to take place at an upstart regional event before an opportunity was presented to move the contest to Friday's CFFC 140, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's historic 2300 Arena. At 37, Millender knows he can't compete forever, so he was thrilled with the increased attention that the new platform provides at this stage in his career.

"Now that it's on FIGHT PASS, I think it's great for the both of us," Millender said. "Obviously he wants to be in UFC. If I get back, that would be dope, but you know, I'm working on just building my legacy and going out with a bang, and it'll be a hell of a bang beating one of the best welterweights to ever do it."

The three-round matchup will be contested at a catchweight of 183 pounds, a concession Millender said he appreciates from Amosov. Millender spent much of his career at 170 pounds but has been focused on the middleweight division in recent times, and he believes come fight night, he'll definitely have a noticeable size advantage in the cage.

Millender also believes he's added a few new wrinkles to his game that will complement his signature striking style, and he's excited to put it all on display against Amosov.

"I definitely work on a lot of new things," Millender said. "I'm definitely working on the ground game. I'm always working on it. It's not like I go to these camps and I don't work on the ground game. Sh-t happens sometimes. Like we said earlier, I'm not fighting bums. I fight the best dudes available.

"I definitely work on everything, but you know, I'm coming out to show you guys vintage Curtis Millender – head kicks, flying knees, all that fun sh-t."

Should Amosov get a win on Friday, it would mark his first since ceding the Bellator MMA title to Jason Jackson in 2023, and most observers believe a UFC invite would likely follow. Millender doesn't know if the same contract opportunities are on the line for him in the matchup, but he insists it doesn't change a thing.

"I know where I am in my career," Millender said. "I'm very much a realist. I know where I am in my career. I know the fights I've won. I know the fights I've lost, but if they are looking at him to get in and I go out here and starch him like I plan on doing, you know, at least let me get a text message or something.

"Like I said, I get back in, perfect. If not, it's OK. I'm really looking to just continue to have big fights for the rest of this career, get some traveling in with these fights, and enjoy the rest of it."

Put simply, Millender feels like he's got absolutely nothing to prove. Facing the likes of Thiago Alves, Rory MacDonald, Magomed Magomedkerimov, Belal Muhammad and Alexander Shlemenko, among many others, has done that already.

That said, there's certainly much to be gained, and Millender is ready to shine in the spotlight once again.

"I'm just ready to go out there and do what I've got to do on Friday," Millender said. "Enjoy Philly and get some money. Beat somebody up."