Tag: Vadim Nemkov

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series live results

Keep up with live and official results from the PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series event.

PFL returned to action Saturday with PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series, and MMA Junkie kept you covered with live and official results throughout the event.

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series took place Saturday at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The card streamed on MAX and DAZN, beginning at 11 a.m ET.

In the main event, Bellator lightweight champion [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] put that former promotion’s title on the line under the PFL banner against challenger [autotag]Paul Hughes[/autotag]. In the co-feature, former Bellator light heavyweight champion [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] returned to action against UFC veteran [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] in a heavyweight contest.

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series results

  • Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46) – for Bellator lightweight title
  • Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:08
  • Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:20
  • Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman via TKO (referee stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
  • Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:50
  • Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
  • John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Haider Khan def. Mostafa Nada via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 3:18

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

Result: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes via majority decision (47-47, 48-46, 48-46)
Recap: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series results: Usman Nurmagomedov retains in early FOTY candidate vs. Paul Hughes
Photos: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Paul Hughes at PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Nurmagomedov (19-0), Hughes (13-2)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Beltran

Tim Johnson vs. Vadim Nemkov

Result: Vadim Nemkov def. Tim Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:08
Recap: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series video: Vadim Nemkov makes quick work of Tim Johnson
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Johnson (18-11), Nemkov (19-2)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Kerry Hatley

Nathan Kelly vs. Akhmed Magomedov

Result: Akhmed Magomedov def. Nathan Kelly via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:20
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Kelly (11-3), Akhmed Magomedov (11-1)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Beltran

Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Kenny Mokhonoana

Result: Ibragim Ibragimov def. Kenny Mokhonoana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Ibragimov (9-0), Mokhonoana (10-2)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Beltran

Cleiver Fernandes vs. Renat Khavalov

Result: Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Fernandes (9-2), Khavalov (9-0)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Kerry Hatley

Tarek Suleiman vs. Ahmed Samy

Result: Ahmed Samy def. Tarek Suleiman via TKO (referee stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Suleiman (13-9), Samy (12-4)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Kerry Hatley

Mirafzal Akhtamov vs. Mike Thompson

Result: Mirafzal Akhtamov def. Mike Thompson via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:50
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Akhtamov (8-0-1), Thompson (7-3)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Beltran

Hadi Omar Al Hussaini vs. Ruel Panales

Result: Hadi Omar Al Hussaini def. Ruel Panales via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Al Hussaini (6-1-1), Panales (5-3)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Kerry Hatley

John Mitchell vs. Souhil Tairi

Result: John Mitchell def. Souhil Tairi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Mitchell (10-2), Tairi (7-6-1)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Bell

Mostafa Nada vs. Haider Khan

Result: Haider Khan def. Mostafa Nada via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 3:18
Recap: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series video: Haider Khan snaps opponent’s arm with vicious kick
Photos: PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Best photos
Records: Nada (9-4), Khan (9-1)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: MAX
Referee: Mike Bell

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series weigh-in gallery

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series video: Vadim Nemkov makes quick work of Tim Johnson

Vadim Nemkov impressed with a quick submission win of Tim Johnson at PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series.

Heavyweight [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] is a problem.

At PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series, Nemkov (19-2) made quick work of UFC veteran Tim Johnson with a submission just 3:08 into the first round. The fight served as the co-main event at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

From the moment the fight began, it was apparent Nemkov was much faster and powerful than Johnson (18-10). Physical attributes aside, the skillset advantage quickly began to shine as well. Nemkov was quicker to the punch, and once he got the fight to the ground, the rear-naked choke soon followed to finish the fight.

Check out video of the finish below (via X):

The fight was Nemkov’s second consecutive bout at heavyweight. Aside from a no contest against Corey Anderson at Bellator 277, Nemkov has won 12 consecutive fights, having not suffered a defeat since 2016.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

Vadim Nemkov sets terms to stay with PFL after final contracted bout in Dubai

Vadim Nemkov confirms Saturday’s PFL fight is the last on his contract, but unlike other Bellator champs, he’s not adamant on leaving.

(Editor’s note: This story was updated Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET to include a denial by PFL that Nemkov’s fight Saturday is the last on his deal)

[autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] is keeping an open mind about continuing his career with PFL beyond Saturday’s fight, but only if the company can fulfill its promises.

According to former Bellator light heavyweight champion Nemkov (17-2), his PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai heavyweight co-main event with Tim Johnson (18-10) is the final bout on his current contract. The fight takes place at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and streams on Max.

Nemkov’s frustrations are in line with other fighters who have spoken out on a lack of activity since PFL acquired Bellator in late 2023. However, unlike some others, such as Patricio Freire, Patchy Mix and more, the Russian said he’s not adamant about leaving so long as things change.

“It’s the last fight on my contract,” Nemkov told MMA Junkie 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.”

Following this Nemkov’s interview, a PFL official denied Nemkov’s claim that Saturday’s bout is the final on his contract.

‘Little bit weird’ road to Dubai

Nemkov, 32, hasn’t competed since a second-round submission of Bruno Cappelozza last February. The buildup to this fight has been nothing short of strange, with Nemkov going through three different opponents. The first announcement matchup was Ante Delija, then it shifted to a trilogy bout with Corey Anderson, before ultimately landing on Johnson.

PFL announcing the fight with Anderson rubbed Nemkov in the wrong way the most, as he said he never agreed to it and felt it wasn’t a logical booking.

“The whole situation with this fight was a little bit weird because we got a contract for Delija, and PFL, the moment when they announced the fight, there was no way the fight could happen because he was injured, and he had a surgery,” Nemkov said. “Once the fight was announced by PFL, I got a lot of messages from his fans, family members who said there’s no way that fight would happen.

“From the Corey Anderson perspective on that fight and stuff, he was coming out back-and-forth on my social media, and I saw he was preparing to fight in the heavyweight division. Then in the end it looks like it was kind of a setup, so I felt like if Delija wouldn’t come through, they’re going to give me Anderson. Since the fight was changed last minute, the only thing we asked the PFL is if they would give us a better contract, because it’s a different fight and different fighter. Basically PFL refused to negotiate the new contract for the fight with Corey Anderson.

“The contract negotiations didn’t go through, and the fight didn’t make much sense. I never agreed to the fight to begin with. There were negotiations, we started negotiating, but I don’t even know why the PFL announced that fight. And to be honest, I don’t feel like that fight is good for me at all. He’s not rated at heavyweight. He was kind of a gatekeeper at UFC, and that fight didn’t make sense, and especially without renegotiating the contract it didn’t make sense at all.”

Nemkov said he is content with Johnson as the opponent and is ready to continue to make waves at heavyweight. He was a dominant force in Bellator’s 205-pound division but said he has health issues and is “not looking to cut the weight ever again.”

Whether this will be Nemkov’s final fight under the PFL banner remains to be seen. He felt far more attachment to the now-defunct Bellator brand, and Nemkov said he’s disappointed to see it go.

“I do feel a little bit sad because this is where I begin my journey,” Nemkov said. “I built my name and brand in that company, and they did show really good aspects of my fighting game, so I do feel a little bit sad.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

Ex-Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov to face Tim Johnson at PFL’s Road to Dubai on Jan. 25

Vadim Nemkov draws Tim Johnson for a heavyweight showdown at PFL’s Champion Series on Jan. 25.

[autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] will still compete after all later this month at PFL’s Road to Duabi Champions Series event.

Nemkov, who was scheduled to face Corey Anderson, now will take on heavyweight veteran [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] on Jan. 25 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Anderson announced the cancellation of their bout nearly a month ago, claiming Nemkov refused to fight him because he wanted an “easier fight.”

PFL did not announce a reason for the change. Bellator announced the news of the new matchup on Monday afternoon.

 

Nemkov (17-2), former Bellator light heavywieght champion, is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak. He was most recently seen in action in February 2024 when he retured to the heavyweight divsion after many years competing at 205 pounds. In that return, he defeated PFL veteran Bruno Cappelozza by technical submission.

On the other hand, Johnson is looking to bounce back from a TKO loss to Denis Goltsov back in August. Prior to the defeat, the former UFC heavyweight was on a three-fight wininng streak that included two stoppages.

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Corey Anderson: Trilogy fight canceled because Vadim Nemkov wants ‘easier opponent’

Well, it seems like the trilogy won’t happen after all.

[autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] may not have a fight after all.

Saturday, Anderson (18-6) indicated his recently announced trilogy vs. [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] at a Champions Series event Jan. 25 in Dubai won’t happen. While there’s been no official word from PFL pertaining to the status of the fight, Anderson said Nemkov (18-2) doesn’t want the bout – and thus, it is off.

“Breaking announcement, folks. The trilogy will not be happening,” Anderson said in a post on X. “I woke up to a text this morning from PFL and Bellator saying, ‘Vadim refuses to fight you.’ Per being their words is, ‘You’re too tough of a fight for him, as he says.’ But he wants to stay on the card and fight a lesser opponent. You can’t make this stuff up, man. How do you call yourself the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the organization but you’re scared to fight somebody you already fought twice on seven week’s notice. Anyway, you all know me. I’m ready. I’m game whenever it is. Wherever, whenever, whoever. As soon as I signed a contract, I jumped on a plane to Vegas. Now, I’m at the airport, going to fly home early. There’s no point in training if the fight ain’t happening.”

Nemkov was initially announced to fight Ante Delija, though independent reports disputed the matchup’s viability due to an injury with the latter.

Anderson was among the Bellator champions who spoke out publicly in frustration about the lack of bookings from Bellator. Days later, the fight vs. Nemkov was announced. Anderson and Nemkov have fought twice before. The first meeting was ruled a no contest due to an accidental clash of heads. The rematch was a unanimous decision for Nemkov.

With Ante Delija out, Vadim Nemkov to fight Corey Anderson at Bellator Champions Series event

Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson will square off for a third time at Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai on January 25.

[autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] and [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] will square off for a third time at Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

With Ante Delija out, Nemkov (17-2-1) now faces Anderson (18-6-1) in a heavyweight bout Jan. 25 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, promotion officials announced Wednesday.

Nemkov and Anderson fought twice before in title fights. Their first outing in the Bellator grand prix final in April 2022 ended in a no contest after an accidental headbutt rendered Nemkov unable to continue. Anderson was largely in control before the inadvertent clash of heads ended the fight in Round 3.

The pair ran things back seven months later when Nemkov was able to outpoint Anderson to win a unanimous decision at Bellator 288. Anderson rebounded with a win over Phil Davis at Bellator 297 and on the same night, Nemkov successfully defended his light heavyweight title against Yoel Romero.

However, Anderson couldn’t get his desired rubber match after Nemkov opted to vacate his title and move up to heavyweight. As a result, Anderson claimed the vacant light heavyweight title by beating Karl Moore at Bellator Champions Series: Belfast last March. Meanwhile, Nemkov submitted Bruno Cappelozza in the second round to capture the PFL vs. Bellator Super Belt in his return to heavyweight.

With the addition, the current lineup includes:

  • Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes – for lightweight title
  • Corey Anderson vs. Vadim Nemkov

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

PFL adds Ante Delija vs. Vadim Nemkov to Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai on Jan. 25

A pair of former champions will throw down at Road to Dubai: Champions Series.

A pair of former champions will throw down at Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

[autotag]Ante Delija[/autotag] (24-6) takes on [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] (17-2-1) in a heavyweight bout on Jan. 25 at Coca-Cola Arena, promotion officials announced Friday morning.

Unbeaten in his past 13 fights, former Bellator light heavyweight titleholder Nemkov returned to heavyweight in his past outing, submitting Bruno Cappelozza in the second round to capture the PFL vs. Bellator Super Belt.

2022 PFL heavyweight champion Delija saw his five-fight winning streak snapped at the hands of Valentin Moldavsky at 2024 PFL 1 in April.

With the addition, the current lineup includes:

  • Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes – for lightweight title
  • Ante Delija vs. Vadim Nemkov

Vadim Nemkov def. Bruno Cappelozza at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions: Best photos

Check out these photos from Vadim Nemkov vs. Bruno Cappelozza at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions in Saudi Arabia.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag]’s technical submission victory over Bruno Cappelozza at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions, which took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photos courtesy of PFL)

 

PFL vs. Bellator: Champions video: Vadim Nemkov puts Bruno Cappelozza to sleep with arm triangle

Bellator’s Vadim Nemkov competed at heavyweight and submitted 2021 PFL season winner Bruno Cappelozza in Saudi Arabia.

[autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] has been one of the best light heavyweights on the planet for a while, and appears to be just as dangerous as a heavyweight.

On the main card of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions, Nemkov (18-2) stepped into the cage as a heavyweight for the first time since 2016. The Bellator light heavyweight champ took on Bruno Cappelozza (15-7), submitting the 2021 PFL heavyweight champ at 2:13 of Round 2.

The heavyweight bout took place on the main card at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The opening round was filled with intense striking exchanges. Both powerful fighters connected with punches and kicks, but Nemkov put together the more meaningful combinations. Cappelozza did not stop coming forward despite being consistently met with resistance from Nemkov.

In Round 2, Cappelozza appeared to be building some momentum. A hard right hand appeared to wobble Nemkov, and he rushed in to capitalize. However, Nemkov changed levels for a takedown and took top position. A moment later, the arm triangle was sinched in, putting Cappelozza to sleep.

Check out video of the finish below (via X):

In addition to picking up yet another win for the Bellator side, Nemkov became the first to take home the “Super Belt” awarded to some of the main card winners. Boxing legend Mike Tyson entered the cage to present the award to Nemkov.

Nemkov has recorded 12 straight wins without a loss, a streak that stretches back to 2016, before his Bellator run began in 2017.

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Up-to-the-minute results of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC, PFL, Bellator fights announced in the past week (Jan. 15-21)

Check out the UFC, PFL, and Bellator fights that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC, PFL, and Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Jan. 15-21.