Bellator Re-Signs Vadim Nemkov With Multi-Year Deal

Vadim Nemkov is staying in Bellator.

A contract extension with the organization’s reigning light heavyweight champion was revealed by Bellator on Monday. It is reportedly a multi-year, multi-fight deal.

“Vadim Nemkov was another athlete that we wanted to make sure we had on the Bellator roster for the foreseeable future. He’s a huge part of one of the divisions that we feel is the strongest in all of mixed martial arts,” Bellator president Scott Coker said in a statement.

Since making his Bellator debut in August 2017, Nemkov (15-2 1NC), 30, has been a dominant force, going 8-0 with one no-contest in nine outings.

Nemkov most recently defeated Corey Anderson in a unanimous decision to earn the promotion’s light heavyweight championship and a $1 million bonus. Due to an unintentional head collision that occurred seven months prior, Nemkov and Anderson fought to a no contest.

Nemkov, a student of Fedor Emelianenko, defeated Phil Davis by decision earlier in the competition, while Julius Anglickas was submitted in the fourth round. After technically knocking out Ryan Bader in the second round in April 2020, Nemkov was crowned the light heavyweight title of Bellator.

At Bellator 290, Nemkov was scheduled to defend his championship against Yoel Romero, however the fight was called off when Nemkov was compelled to drop out. Later this year is when it’s anticipated to be rescheduled.

Nemkov has suffered loss only twice in his early career – one of them belonging to former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka.

Former lightweight champion AJ McKee recently re-signed with the promotion as well.