Vadim Nemkov

Vadim Nemkov (born 20 June 1992) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and a Four time Combat Sambo World Champion. He is currently signed to Bellator MMA, where he competes in the Light Heavyweight division and he is the current Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. As of December 7, 2021, he is #2 in the Bellator men's pound-for-pound rankings. Nemkov is the younger brother of Viktor Nemkov and is a protégé of the MMA Heavyweight and Sambo master Fedor Emelianenko. He is currently ranked the #2 MMA Light Heavyweight in the world by MMA ranking site Fight Matrix.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Between June 2013 and August 2015 Nemkov accumulated a 4–0 record in Russian regional promotions, winning all 4 fights via stoppage.

Rizin Fighting Federation

Rizin Fighting World Grand Prix 2015

In November 2015, the Japanese fight promotion–and successor to Pride Fighting Championships–Rizin Fighting Federation announced the brackets for a Heavyweight Grand Prix to be held on December 29 and 31. It was announced Nemkov would make his Rizin debut against Goran Reljic. He won the bout by knockout in the first round, advancing to the semi-finals 2 days later. In the semi-finals on December 31, Nemkov faced Jiří Procházka, losing via retirement due to being too exhausted at the end of the first (10 minute) round.

Rizin 1

Nemkov returned to face Karl Albrektsson on April 16, 2016 at Rizin 1. He lost the fight via split-decision.

Rizin Fighting Word Grand Prix 2016: Second Round

After a fight in Russia for Fight Nights Global, Nemkov again competed in Rizin against Alison Vicente on December 29, 2016 at | RIZIN FF WGP 2nd round. He won the fight via TKO 55 seconds into the first round.

Fight Nights Global

Fight Nights Global 50: Emelianenko vs Maldonado

On June 17, 2016, Nemkov fought Mikołaj Różanski on the Fight Nights Global 50: Emelianenko vs Maldonado card in St. Petersburg, Russia. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Bellator MMA

On August 25, 2017, Nemkov made his Bellator debut against Philipe Lins at Bellator 182. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

In his second bout for the promotion, Nemkov faced former Bellator Light Heavyweight champion Liam McGeary at Bellator 194 on February 16, 2017. He won the fight via TKO due to leg kicks in the third round.

Nemkov again faced a former Bellator Light Heavyweight champion in Phil Davis on November 15, 2018 at Bellator 209. He won the closely contested bout via split decision.

In the beginning of 2019, Nemkov signed a new, multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. As the first fight of the contract, Nemkov faced former Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 230 on October 12, 2019. Nemkov won the bout via submission in the second round.

Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion (2020-present)

After racking up four straight wins in Bellator, three of which against former Bellator titleholders, Nemkov was signed to challenge Ryan Bader at Bellator 242 on May 9, 2020 for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship. However, it was later announced that Bellator 242 and Nemkov's bout against Bader was being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bout with Bader was rescheduled and took place on August 21 at Bellator 244. Nemkov won the bout via second-round technical knockout to capture the Bellator Light Heavyweight title.

On February 9, 2021, it was announced that Nemkov would be defending the Bellator Light Heavyweight title in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament. It was announced that Nemkov would make his first title defense against Phil Davis, a rematch of their November 2018 bout, which saw Nemkov win via split decision. The bout took place at Bellator 257 on April 16, 2021. Nemkov won the bout via unanimous decision, with Nemkov controlling the first three rounds on the feet.

In the semi-finals of the Grand Prix, Nemkov was scheduled to face Anthony Johnson on October 16, 2021 at Bellator 268. On September 18, it was announced that Johnson was pulled from the Grand Prix due to an undisclosed illness and he was replaced by Julius Anglickas. Nemkov dominated the fight with wrestling and ground and pound, eventually winning via submission in round four.

In the finals off the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Nemkov will take on Corey Anderson for the 205-pound title as well as the $1 million prize on April 15, 2022 at Bellator 277.

Personal life

Nemkov served in the 16th Special Purpose Brigade of Spetsnaz in 2010.

Championships and accomplishments

Bellator MMA

Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship (One time, current).

Two successful title defenses.

Rizin Fighting Federation

2015 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinalist.