Vadim Nemkov 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):
Vadim Nemkov puts him to SLEEP 😴#PFLvsBellator | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/DKdBXMq7sO
— DAZN MMA (@daznmma) February 24, 2024
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.
A moment Vadim Nemkov will never forget 🤩#PFLvsBellator pic.twitter.com/BJre86pjkr
— DAZN MMA (@daznmma) February 24, 2024
Nemkov has recorded 12 straight wins without a loss, a streak that stretches back to 2016, before his Bellator run began in 2017.
Up-to-the-minute results of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions include:
- Vadim Nemkov def. Bruno Cappelozza via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:13
- Yoel Romero def. Thiago Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- A.J. McKee def. Clay Collard via submission (triangle armbar) – Round 1, 1:10
- Aaron Pico def. Henry Corrales via TKO (elbows) – Round 1, 4:53
- Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Emmanuel Palacio via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Claressa Shields def. Kelsey DeSantis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Edukondala Rao via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:23
- Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.
