With a world class combat sambo background, and a light heavyweight golden strap around his waist, Vadim Aleksandrovich Nemkov at 31 years-old, is the dominating force of Bellator, and high ranking representative of FedorTeam.
Born June 20th, 1992 in Belgorod, Russia, Nemkov’s martial arts journey began in 2013 when he participated in combat sambo competitions in Russian, European and world championships while serving in the army.
From 2014 to 2019, the Russian athlete won 4 gold medals out of 5 world championship tournaments, but not even this was enough to satisfy his hunger as he decided to take his skills to MMA under the guidance of legendary pound-for-pound heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko of FedorTeam.
Two years after his pro-MMA debut, Nemkov entered the 2015 RIZIN Heavyweight Grand Prix with a 5-0 record (all by way of knockout) and made quick work of Goran Reljić with a first round TKO.
Although the combat sambo champion succeeded in reaching the semifinals, he was met with a road block in the form of Jiří Procházka.
Despite Nemkov being dominant throughout the fight, it was his cardio that caused him his first official loss to the future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion of the world.
Despite suffering another setback to Karl Albrektsson via split decision, Nemkov bounced back with 2 straight first round knockout victories in Fight Nights Global and RIZIN before he was signed up to Bellator MMA.
Within 3 years in Bellator, Nemkov moved up the light heavyweight ranks with 4 straight victories, 3 of them over former Bellator World Champions including Liam McGeary, Phil Davis and Rafael Carvalho.
His sharp striking and superior grappling made all three former champions look like shadows of their former selves. These victories would turn Nemkov into a title contender.
On August 21st, 2020, the former combat sambo world champion claimed Bellator’s light heavyweight world title from Ryan Bader.
A year after winning the world title, Nemkov defended his championship in a Bellator World Grand Prix tournament. Within 7 years, Nemkov had earned the top prize in Bellator, had won the first Light Heavyweight Grand Prix and had defended his belt a total of 5 times.
With his deadly set of skills and a solid 17-2 record, this Russian world champion is at the top of his game as the no.1 pound-for-pound fighter at Bellator.
With all that covered, let’s take a look at Vadim Nemkov’s Top 5 MMA Finishes! (in descending order)
5. Vs. Philipe Lins – Bellator 182 (Aug. 25 2017)
In his first Bellator debut, Nemkov was scheduled to face thirty two year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Philipe “Monstro” Lins. As this would be his first ever fight in the second most popular MMA promotion in the US, Nemkov knew he had to make an impression.
Right from the opening bell of round 1, Nemkov started out strong, targeting the legs with round kicks, whilst easily evading Philipe’s power punches before landing a solid double jab-cross combo to the head.
Although the BJJ black belt was able to absorb the right hand, then came a second right hand to the jaw from Nemkov that planted Philipe on the canvas.
At 3:03 of round 1, Nemkov earned his first KO win in the promotion. What a way to make a statement in the light heavyweight division!
4. Vs. Liam McGeary – Bellator 194 (Feb. 16 2018)
In his second fight for Bellator, Nemkov’s first real challenge came in the form of former Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion, Liam McGeary.
Although McGeary had suffered a submission loss in his previous fight, the thirty five year-old had the prowess to prove that he could still be a threat to Nemkov if he wasn’t careful.
In round 1, Nemkov showed off his striking talents by hitting the former champion with leg kicks and displayed impressive counter punches.
It seemed clear that the experienced striker was out classed, yet Nemkov knew not to get overconfident and continued to attack the legs with outside kicks. The newcomer finally shot for the double leg takedown, but only landed it after the bell rang.
At the start of round 2, Nemkov planted McGeary with a right hand before finally scoring the takedown.
As the Russian proceeded with the ground-and-pound, McGeary’s Jiu-Jitsu kicked in for a triangle choke and a heel hook attempt, but Nemkov defended the attempts successfully.
As both warriors returned to their feet, the newcomer continued to out strike the Brit in all directions, including more damaging kicks to his left leg. By the end of round 2, McGeary just barely managed to walk back to his corner.
Within seconds of the start of round 3, Nemkov continued to deliver further punishment to the left leg, leaving the former champion in visible pain as he desperately went for a shot at the Russian, which he countered with a takedown.
Despite the limited mobility, McGeary returned to his feet, only to be met with more destructive leg kicks. It was only when he turned his head away in pain that the referee finally decided to step in, ending the contest at 4:02 of round 3.
3. Vs. Rafael Carvalho – Bellator 230 (Oct. 12, 2019)
After defeating former Bellator champions Liam McGeary and Phil Davis, the third former world champion to stand in the way of the twenty seven year-old Russian came in the form of Rafael “The Blessed” Carvalho, in Milan, Italy.
Within 15 seconds of round 1, Nemkov phased Carvalho with a kick to the head and immediately shot for a double leg and scored the takedown.
Even after suffering an inner reap, Rafael managed to free himself and resume the stand up, only for the former combat sambo champion to counter a left hand with a third takedown.
When both warriors returned to their feet, the young Russian planted a couple of solid right hands on the Brazilian striker before the end of round 1.
In round 2, Rafael struggled to land any significant blows to the young Russian, and once again fell victim to Nemkov’s counter punching abilities, suffering a right hand that momentarily stunned him, yet was successful in defending the takedown attempt.
Once the two light heavyweights moved to the centre of the octagon, Nemkov secured his fourth takedown into mount position.
As the Russian proceeded with ground and pound, a struggling Carvalho turned his back on Nemkov, leaving him wide open for a rear naked choke.
At 3:56 of round 2, Carvalho submitted, making his defeat Nemkov’s third straight victory over a former Bellator World Champion.
2. Vs. Julius Anglickas – Bellator 268 (Oct. 16, 2021)
In the semi-finals of the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Nemkov was set to defend his title against the Lithuanian challenger, Julius Anglickas.
Anglickas was chosen to replace Anthony Johnson after he pulled out of the tournament due to illness.
Throughout the beginning of round 1, the champion was more active in his approach, yet was suddenly caught off guard by a right hand that momentarily dropped him to the ground.
Nemkov quickly returned to his feet, but carried the effects of the challenger’s punch, provoking a desperate takedown attempt. That takedown was enough to buy Nemkov some time to recover and resume his onslaught before the end of round 1.
Within seconds of round 2, the Russian combat sambo champion continued the pressure on Julius with explosive fists, a sharp kick to the head and a second takedown. Even in guard position, Nemkov continued to offer the same offence with savage elbows and bombshells leaving a bloodied and helpless Anglickas at the end of round 2.
In round 3, Nemkov remained in control of the fight, scoring another takedown and attempting three submissions on the challenger. Although Julius succeeded in defending the armbar attempt and gaining the top position in the process, it didn’t take long for the champion to escape and secure his fourth takedown. Once again, Julius was left with no offence at the end of round 3.
In the beginning of round 4, Anglickas once again failed to defend the takedown and had no answer to Nemkov’s ground control. Ultimately, the Cinderella story was never realised, as the champion closed the book with a killer kimura at 4:25 of round 4.
With sheer dominance and resilience, Nemkov would go on to win the Grand Prix and defend his world title.
1. Vs. Ryan Bader – Bellator 244 (Aug. 21, 2020)
After 3 years in the promotion, the former combat sambo world champion was set to fight for his first world title in Bellator against Ryan “Darth” Bader.
This was also a chance for Nemkov to avenge his teammate and mentor, Fedor Emelianenko, who a year prior suffered a first round knockout loss to Bader for the Heavyweight championship.
Right from the opening bell of round 1, it would be the champion who landed the first blow with a solid combo.
Despite constant movement and fists being thrown at each other, both warriors remained cautious, looking for an opening to implement their end game. Ultimately, Bader countered a potential strike from Nemkov, scoring a takedown in the process.
Despite being at a disadvantage, the challenger succeeded in defending himself by controlling Bader’s hand and planting an elbow to the American’s head before freeing himself.
Once back to his feet, Nemkov displayed impressive evasive movement against Bader’s power punches, and landed a swift head kick before the end of round 1.
The fight continued in round 2 with Nemkov seemingly gaining the advantage in this mind game of chess with a right hand that stunned the champion momentarily.
The former combat sambo champion eventually found his mark with a thunderous roundhouse kick to the head, knocking Bader to the ground.
Despite being on the receiving end of vicious ground and pound, the champion showed great resilience, managing to get back up twice, but the Russian power was just too much for him.
“Darth” Bader fell to the canvas for the final time after a solid left hook to the jaw, putting an end to the title contest at 3:02 of round 2, leaving Nemkov’s head held high as the new Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion.
