Former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov finds himself at a crossroads in his career as he prepares for what could be his final fight under the PFL banner. The Russian powerhouse is set to face Tim Johnson in the co-main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai this Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. This heavyweight clash, streaming on Max, marks the last bout on Nemkov’s current contract, leaving fans and pundits alike speculating about his future in the organization.
Contract Frustrations and Unfulfilled Promises
Nemkov’s journey with PFL has been far from smooth since the organization’s acquisition of Bellator in late 2023. The 32-year-old fighter expressed his frustrations with the lack of activity, revealing that he was initially promised four fights over two years but has only competed once since the merger.
Vadim Nemkov confirms to me Saturday’s PFL fight is the final on his contract. It sounds like he intends to hit free agency – but isn’t ruling out a PFL return – if conditions are met. https://t.co/kpHurkNFOa
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) January 22, 2025
“It’s the last fight on my contract,” Nemkov stated 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.”
Despite these setbacks, Nemkov maintains a pragmatic outlook on his relationship with PFL. He acknowledges that he’s at the peak of his fighting career and feels great physically. The Russian athlete has shown a willingness to continue with the organization, provided they can deliver on their initial promises.
“Honestly speaking, I’m OK with the PFL,” Nemkov explained. “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.”.
A Bizarre Road to Dubai
Nemkov’s preparation for this bout has been anything but conventional. The lead-up to the fight has been marred by multiple opponent changes, showcasing the chaotic nature of fight bookings in the current MMA landscape. Initially slated to face Ante Delija, the matchup shifted to a potential trilogy bout with Corey Anderson before finally settling on Tim Johnson.
🚨 UPDATE: Vadim Nemkov now faces Tim Johnson at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday 25th January.
BE THERE! 🎟️ https://t.co/HZ3ZYOEyw7#RoadtoDubai | Sat Jan 25 | Coca-Cola Arena | Dubai, UAE pic.twitter.com/YsjhJSyKpo
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 6, 2025
The situation with Anderson particularly irked Nemkov. He claims he never agreed to the fight and felt it was an illogical booking. “The contract negotiations didn’t go through, and the fight didn’t make much sense. I never agreed to the fight to begin with,” Nemkov stated, expressing his dissatisfaction with PFL’s handling of the situation.
Adding to the complexity, Nemkov revealed that he’s transitioning permanently to the heavyweight division due to health issues. “I’m not looking to cut the weight ever again,” he declared, signaling a new chapter in his career.
As the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai approaches, all eyes will be on Vadim Nemkov. His performance in the cage and his decisions outside of it could have far-reaching implications for his career and the broader landscape of professional MMA. Whether this bout marks the end of Nemkov’s tenure with PFL or the beginning of a new chapter remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the MMA world will be watching closely as this story unfolds in the desert sands of Dubai.
