Tag: Vadim Nemkov

‘We Need Him vs. Ngannou’ – Fans React As Ex-Bellator Champ Vadim Nemkov Submits Tim Johnson In Final Fight Of PFL Contract

What comes next for Vadim Nemkov is uncertain, but it can still include great opportunities following a win over Tim Johnson in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai on Jan. 25. Nemkov made things look easily, landing several head kicks on Johnson that busted him open across the center of his […]

What comes next for Vadim Nemkov is uncertain, but it can still include great opportunities following a win over Tim Johnson in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai on Jan. 25.

Nemkov made things look easily, landing several head kicks on Johnson that busted him open across the center of his head. The Russian was able to get a takedown and worked over his American foe against the fence. After dragging him away from the fence, Johnson attempted to power up.

The former Bellator light heavyweight champion, however, answered by wrapping his legs around Johnson and bringing him back down, flattening the UFC veteran and scoring the rear-naked choke victory.

Vadim Nemkov Easily Submits Late-Notice Opponent Tim Johnson, Fans Ponder Ngannou Showdown

Nemkov is now 2-0 at heavyweight after defeating Bruno Cappelozza last February at the PFL vs. Bellator card. Nemkov is now a free agent after fighting out his PFL (formerly Bellator) contract.

Jonhson, meanwhile, has now lost back-to-back fights after three straight wins.

Vadim Nemkov Chokes Out Tim Johnson in First Round – PFL Road to Dubai Highlights

Vadim Nemkov Extends Undefeated Streak to 14 with Quick-Fire Submission Over Tim Johnson - PFL Road to Dubai HighlightsVadim Nemkov made quick work of Tim Johnson in the PFL Road to Dubai co-main event. Nemkov caught Johnson…

Vadim Nemkov Extends Undefeated Streak to 14 with Quick-Fire Submission Over Tim Johnson - PFL Road to Dubai Highlights

Vadim Nemkov made quick work of Tim Johnson in the PFL Road to Dubai co-main event.

gettyimages 2036564472 612x612 1

Nemkov caught Johnson early with a glancing head kick that busted open the Minnesota native. Johnson attempted to respond with a big right hook, but that allowed Nemkov to change levels and put Johnson on the mat.

As Johnson muscled his way back up, Nemkov hopped on his back and locked in both hooks. Johnson posted himself on both arts, freeing up his neck for Nemkov to cinch in a rear-naked choke and force the tap out just past the three-minute mark of the opening round.

gettyimages 2036566576 612x612 1

Official Result: Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:08 or Round 1.

check out highlights from Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson at PFL Road to Dubai:

Former Bellator Champ Vadim Nemkov Outlines What PFL Must Do To Keep Him

Vadim Nemkov isn’t entirely satisfied with how he has been treated since becoming a PFL fighter but he isn’t looking for the exit door either. In fact, despite having the last fight on his current contract this weekend, he is happy to stay with the promotion if they’re able to give him what he was […]

Vadim Nemkov isn’t entirely satisfied with how he has been treated since becoming a PFL fighter but he isn’t looking for the exit door either. In fact, despite having the last fight on his current contract this weekend, he is happy to stay with the promotion if they’re able to give him what he was initially promised.

The Russian is one of the big names and talents that the PFL acquired when they bought Bellator towards the end of 2023 but embedding that huge influx of new fighters have been far less than seamless. Several fighters have been very vocal about this with major names like Gegard Mousasi and Patrício Pitbull being granted their releases from their contracts as a result.

The promotion is seemingly looking to address this in 2025 by re-shaping their format and Nemkov is seemingly optimistic about the future. One problem did arise when he wasn’t happy with the way that the promotion went about announcing a fight between him and Corey Anderson, who he beat in 2022, without him agreeing to this matchup.

His bout at this weekend’s Road to Dubai event was then changed to be a clash with Tim Johnson who Nemkov believes is a viable opponent for him as he continues to progress as a heavyweight having previously been the Bellator light heavyweight champion. With this settled, the former titleholder’s main complaint, as he detailed in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, is the same issue that the other fighters have had and that’s activity.

Nemkov says that having not fought since February last year where he submitted Bruno Cappelozza, he’s open to the idea of committing his future to the PFL if they’re going to honor their claims of how many fights he will be offered over a set amount of time. At 32-years old, he just wants to be able to regularly compete.

“It’s the last fight on my contract,” Nemkov said through an interpreter. “I was supposed to have four fights during the two years, and I only had one. This is going to be the second fight. … Honestly speaking, I’m OK with the PFL. The thing is I’m at the peak of my fighting career. I feel great. If they’re able to provide what we were supposed to do from the beginning, with three or four fights a year, I would be fine with that. But as of right now, I’m just concentrating on this fight.”

Heavyweight Trilogy Booked: Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson on January 25

Heavyweight Trilogy Booked: Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson on January 25Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson will meet in a heavyweight trilogy fight at the Road to Dubai Champions Series…

Heavyweight Trilogy Booked: Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson on January 25

Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson will meet in a heavyweight trilogy fight at the Road to Dubai Champions Series on January 25, 2025, at Coca-Cola Arena, which the PFL recently announced.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson

The bout will feature the last two Bellator Light Heavyweight Champions facing off in the Heavyweight division. Vadim Nemkov (18-2, 1 NC) and Anderson (18-6, 1 NC) will fight in the co-main event. Vadim Nemkov and Anderson first fought in the 2022 Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix finals, where their bout ended in a no contest due to an accidental clash of heads. The two met again later that year, with Nemkov winning to retain his title. Anderson has since claimed the Bellator Light Heavyweight title, defeating Phil Davis and Karl Moore.

Three more bouts have been confirmed for the card. Undefeated British fighter Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) will face Ireland’s Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1) in a Featherweight contest. Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0), the younger brother of Zabit Magomedsharipov, will take on Irish fighter Nathan Kelly (11-2), who is on an 11-fight win streak. In a Bantamweight match, Russia’s Renat Khavalov (8-0) will meet Brazil’s Cleiver Fernandes (9-1), a former Shooto Brazil Bantamweight Champion.

The main event will see Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) defend his title against Ireland’s Paul Hughes (13-1), who recently defeated AJ McKee at the Battle of the Giants. The event will feature two Dagestan vs. Ireland bouts, with further details on the undercard to come.

Nemkov, a protege of Fedor Emelianenko, is making his second appearance in the Heavyweight division after a win over Bruno Cappeloza earlier this year. He now faces Anderson in the Road to Dubai series.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson

Heavyweight Trilogy Booked: Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson on January 25

Heavyweight Trilogy Booked: Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson on January 25Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson will meet in a heavyweight trilogy fight at the Road to Dubai Champions Series…

Heavyweight Trilogy Booked: Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson on January 25

Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson will meet in a heavyweight trilogy fight at the Road to Dubai Champions Series on January 25, 2025, at Coca-Cola Arena, which the PFL recently announced.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson

The bout will feature the last two Bellator Light Heavyweight Champions facing off in the Heavyweight division. Vadim Nemkov (18-2, 1 NC) and Anderson (18-6, 1 NC) will fight in the co-main event. Vadim Nemkov and Anderson first fought in the 2022 Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix finals, where their bout ended in a no contest due to an accidental clash of heads. The two met again later that year, with Nemkov winning to retain his title. Anderson has since claimed the Bellator Light Heavyweight title, defeating Phil Davis and Karl Moore.

Three more bouts have been confirmed for the card. Undefeated British fighter Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) will face Ireland’s Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1) in a Featherweight contest. Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0), the younger brother of Zabit Magomedsharipov, will take on Irish fighter Nathan Kelly (11-2), who is on an 11-fight win streak. In a Bantamweight match, Russia’s Renat Khavalov (8-0) will meet Brazil’s Cleiver Fernandes (9-1), a former Shooto Brazil Bantamweight Champion.

The main event will see Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) defend his title against Ireland’s Paul Hughes (13-1), who recently defeated AJ McKee at the Battle of the Giants. The event will feature two Dagestan vs. Ireland bouts, with further details on the undercard to come.

Nemkov, a protege of Fedor Emelianenko, is making his second appearance in the Heavyweight division after a win over Bruno Cappeloza earlier this year. He now faces Anderson in the Road to Dubai series.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai – Bellator vs. PFL

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai - Bellator vs. PFLHeavyweights Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija has just been announced as a PFL vs. Bellator showdown. The PFL is…

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai - Bellator vs. PFL

Heavyweights Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija has just been announced as a PFL vs. Bellator showdown. The PFL is hosting a major MMA event, Champions Series Dubai, on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. This event marks the start of a new partnership to establish Dubai as a key destination for MMA. The show will feature two marquee fights: a lightweight title bout and a heavyweight clash.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija

In the main event, undefeated lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) from Dagestan will defend his title against Ireland’s rising star Paul Hughes (13-1). Hughes is coming off the biggest win of his career after defeating AJ McKee at the PFL’s Battle of the Giants.

Meanwhile, the co-main event pits former Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2) from Russia against Ante Delija (24-6) from Croatia. Nemkov, riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak, is a dominant finisher with victories over Yoel Romero and Corey Anderson. He is a protege of all-time great Fedor Emelianenko. Delija, a former PFL champion, is known for his knockout power and submission skills, carrying on Croatia’s heavyweight MMA legacy alongside names like Mirko Cro Cop and Stipe Miocic.

This event is part of the “Road to Dubai” series, an initiative developed through a partnership between the PFL, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, and the Dubai Sports Council. The partnership between PFL and Dubai authorities also creates opportunities for local Emirati fighters to rise through the ranks. This event kicks off a multi-year push to make Dubai a global MMA hotspot while showcasing the sport’s top athletes and promoting new talent.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai Bellator vs. PFL 2