We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dmitrii Jn. Chernikov. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Dmitrii Jn., thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What battle are you avoiding?
The battle I’m avoiding? Definitely the one with my homework. I’d rather be in the gym or on the mat, but somehow, it keeps finding me. On the real side, I try to avoid underestimating my opponents. You can’t get too cocky, even if you’ve got two California titles and over 80 competitions under your belt—because the moment you underestimate someone, that’s when they surprise you.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dmitrii! I’m 12 and I’ve been doing martial arts for as long as I can remember. So far, I’ve won 2 California titles, 2 international MMA championships, and competed in over 80 events in sports like Sambo, BJJ, Wrestling, and MMA. It’s been an awesome ride, but I’m always looking for ways to get better.
What makes me different? I work hard, but I also like to have fun with it. I don’t just want to be the best fighter, I want to keep learning, keep improving, and inspire other kids to push themselves too. I think no matter how old you are, if you keep working and never give up, you can do amazing things!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before all the titles and trophies, I was like Doctor Strange before he knew how to make magic. Just a regular kid, goofing around, trying to figure out how to do a backflip without falling on my face.
Then, martial arts came along, and I was like ‘Wait, I can do this?’ It was like when Doctor Strange found out there’s more to the world than just regular stuff.
Now, I’m training, learning, and trying to unlock the ‘multiverse’ of moves. The only difference is—I don’t wear a cool cape… yet. But hey, I’m working on it!
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Oh, I’ve had my fair share of faceplant moments. There was this one competition where I thought I had everything figured out, and then—bam! I got caught in a move I definitely should’ve seen coming. I ended up on the mat faster than a pizza disappearing at a sleepover.
After that, I realized I had to stop being so cocky. I thought I could just power my way through everything, but I learned that you’ve gotta be smart and not just strong. So, I changed my mind about how important strategy is. Strength is great, but if you don’t know when and where to use it, it’s like trying to eat soup with a fork. Not gonna work!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie? People say, ‘If you’re not winning, you’re not doing it right.’ Nah. If that was true, I’d have quit after my first match! The real truth is, it’s all about learning and getting better each time. I mean, I wanna be in the UFC and maybe even win an Olympic medal one day—but if I didn’t love training, then none of it would matter.
Another lie? That you need to be the biggest or strongest to make it. Nah, you just need heart, brains, and a lot of ice packs. Everyone says you need to be born with it, but I know that’s not true. You just gotta work hard, keep learning, and never give up on your dream—whether it’s UFC belts or Olympic gold!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m on the mat, right before a big match. It’s like everything else disappears—no school, no homework, no stress.
It’s just me and the opponent, and we’re both there to test ourselves. It’s the quiet before the storm. I’m not thinking about anything except what’s right in front of me, and that feels pretty awesome. After a tough training session or a competition, when I’ve given it my all, that’s when I feel like I’ve really earned my peace
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