By Francisco Salazar

Even before his bout against Aldimar Silva Santos on Saturday night in Omaha, Neb., Evgeny Gradovich was outlining his plans for 2016.

Gradovich did enough to grind out an eight round split decision win over Santos, improving his record to 20-1, 9 KOs. Santos drops to 19-9, 12 KOs.

It was Gradovich's first bout since May 30, when he lost an eight round technical decision to Lee Selby. Gradovich lost his IBF featherweight title and suffered his first defeat as a pro in the process.

The bout was very competitive, as Santos came to fight. One judge though he did enough to win 77-75, while the other two judges scored the bout 78-74 and 79-71 in favor of Gradovich.

Gradovich did well at times, but looked rusty during certain sequences of the fight. After the loss to Selby, Gradovich wanted to get back in the ring.

"I wanted to fight as soon as possible," said Gradovich, who is from Russia and now resides in Oxnard, Calif. "I was ready to fight a couple of months after the (Selby) fight. My promoter (Bob Arum) wanted me to fight eight rounds (on Saturday). I was ready to fight the distance (12 rounds)."

Gradovich is trained by Robert Garcia and goes by the nickname, 'The Mexican-Russian.'

Before the Santos fight, Gradovich has fought more of a technical style, as opposed to fighting more aggressively. He believes he may have to fight more assertively, living up to the nickname that was given to him in Oxnard by the other fighters that train there.

"I might have to change my style. Mexican-Russian style. I'm not going to change too much."

As to what the future may hold, Gradovich may not remain at 126 pounds. While 130 pounds is an option down the road, he believes he can make 122 pounds.

"I want to fight at 122. The belts at 126 pounds are with different promoters and there is nothing my manager (Egis Klimas) can do about it. I'm fighting at 126 pounds now (Gradovich weighed in at 127 pounds for the Santos fight). We'll see what happens. I want to try 122. I can make this weight."

"I just want to fight. Give me a fight. I love to fight and it's my passion."

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing