Vadim Nemkov

Vadim Nemkov is a Russian mixed martial artist and sambo competitor born in Kazakhstan and raised in Belgorod Oblast who has emerged as one of the most dominant grapplers in modern combat sports. A protégé of legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Nemkov served in Russian Spetsnaz before joining Fedor Team full-time and launching his professional MMA career in 2013. He built an early resume through European regional circuits and a notable run in Rizin, including a competitive loss to Jiri Prochazka in the 2015 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Nemkov's breakthrough came after signing with Bellator MMA in 2017. Over the next six years, he systematically dismantled the light heavyweight division, defeating three former Bellator champions (Liam McGeary, Phil Davis, and Rafael Carvalho) before challenging Ryan Bader for the vacant light heavyweight title at Bellator 244 in August 2020. Nemkov controlled the fight methodically, stung Bader with strikes in the second round, and finished the former champion with a perfectly placed high kick followed by ground-and-pound. He then held the Bellator light heavyweight crown for over two years, successfully defending four times and winning the prestigious 2021 Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, including a dominant fourth-round submission victory over Julius Anglickas.

Nemkov's fighting style exemplifies technical excellence: a strong wrestler with an elite submission arsenal who uses positional control and sustained ground-and-pound to wear opponents down before hunting creative finishes like the kimura, arm-triangle, and rear-naked choke. He is economical with his strikes, precise with leg kicks and straight punches, and patient enough to work multiple rounds to secure finishes. In January 2024, he vacated his light heavyweight title and moved up to heavyweight, where he defeated Bruno Cappelozza by arm-triangle submission and Timothy Johnson by rear-naked choke before facing tournament winner Renan Ferreira for the inaugural PFL Heavyweight World Championship in December 2025. Nemkov dominated Ferreira with wrestling and ground control, finishing with an arm-triangle choke in the first round to claim his second major world title and establish himself as one of the sport's elite multi-division champions.