From UFC Fighter to Zoo Keeper: The Incredible Story of Karlos Vemola
While MMA has no shortage of colorful characters, Karlos Vemola from the Czech Republic stands in a league of his own. The former UFC heavyweight now lives with a Playboy model, fills 20,000-seat arenas across Europe, raises four children, and maintains a private zoo at home featuring tigers, sharks, and crocodiles – inspired by none other than boxing legend Mike Tyson.
From Nerd to Fighter: Vemola’s Unlikely Beginnings
As a child, Vemola was considered a “nerd” – wearing thick glasses with a passion for nature and butterfly collecting. Despite his vision problems, those around him quickly recognized the boy’s explosive temperament.
His father, a Greco-Roman wrestling coach, introduced him to the sport at just six years old, dreaming of raising an Olympic champion. By age 16, Vemola had won six national wrestling titles in the Czech Republic, though he increasingly channeled his strength into street fights rather than sanctioned competitions.
The Bodybuilding Dream and Schwarzenegger Inspiration
Vemola’s interest in wrestling waned during high school as he discovered bodybuilding. A lifelong fan of “The Terminator,” he idolized Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose poster adorned his bedroom wall.
After graduating, Vemola set an ambitious goal: to become the world’s best bodybuilder. Recognizing the limitations in the Czech Republic, he moved to London at 19 where he qualified for the British Bodybuilding Championships.
In a surprising turn, organizers refused to let him compete in the junior category (suspecting he’d forged his passport), so he entered – and won – the adult division instead. The experience left him disillusioned with competitive bodybuilding.
From Bouncer to MMA Prodigy
Vemola worked as a bouncer at a nightclub in Tottenham where his life changed during one fateful shift. He intervened when two troublemakers were harassing waitresses – who turned out to be MMA fighters.
The next day, the promoter of London’s Cage Fighters organization approached Vemola with a contract offer. He accepted and made his professional debut, submitting his opponent in just 44 seconds.
Rapid Rise Through MMA Ranks
Vemola’s second fight ended even faster – a five-second knockout. He followed with five more first-round victories, capturing the Cage Fighters championship title in under a year.
His Greco-Roman wrestling foundation combined with bodybuilding-powered strikes proved devastating against early opponents. During this period, his admiration expanded beyond Schwarzenegger to include MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko.
UFC Breakthrough and Heavyweight Challenges
Despite being a shorter heavyweight at just 5’11” (183 cm), Vemola’s muscular build and speed reminded many of his idol Fedor, who also famously defeated larger opponents.
Just two years after his MMA debut, Vemola signed with UFC, becoming the promotion’s first Czech fighter. He competed in the heavyweight division, training three times daily while dramatically increasing his calorie intake.
“When I started MMA, I tripled my calorie consumption,” Vemola revealed. “Unless I’m cutting weight for a fight, I typically consume around 10,000 calories daily.”
The Wild Home Zoo and Family Life
Today, Vemola’s life extends far beyond fighting. He maintains what can only be described as a private zoo at his home, housing exotic animals including tigers, sharks, and crocodiles – a passion inspired by Mike Tyson’s famous love for big cats.
He shares this unconventional lifestyle with his partner, a Playboy model, with whom he’s raising four children while still drawing massive crowds to his fighting events across Europe.
Vemola’s journey – from butterfly-collecting child to UFC pioneer to exotic animal keeper – represents one of combat sports’ most fascinating and unconventional career paths, proving that some fighters truly live their lives without boundaries.
